Fathi Al-Shibli, the head of the Libyan Political Parties Alliance, has expressed frustration with the role of Stephanie Khoury, the UN Deputy Envoy to Libya, accusing her of stirring confusion and hindering political progress. Al-Shibli’s statements came during a televised appearance on Al-Masar TV, where he outlined concerns over the ongoing political gridlock in the country.
Al-Shibli accused Khoury of deliberately pushing Libya into an endless loop of debates and disagreements, stalling progress and prolonging instability.
“In the coming months, we’ll waste three to nine months in pointless arguments about jurisdiction—whether it belongs to Parliament or the State Council. This is precisely what Ms. Khoury is orchestrating,” said Al-Shibli.
He further claimed that Khoury lacks the necessary expertise in political negotiation, crisis management, and conflict resolution, rendering her ineffective in her role.
The Libyan leader called for immediate intervention by the UN Secretary-General and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to prevent further disruptions.
“We demand that, if this envoy is to remain, she should be the last. We cannot continue enduring such meddling,” Al-Shibli emphasized.
In a striking declaration, he warned of mobilizing Libyans to take drastic measures against the UN mission. “We may have to rally Libyans to shut down the UN mission and expel it from Libya. We have no other choice. The future will reveal the consequences of inaction,” he concluded.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
