Libya’s Parliament-designated Prime Minister Osama Hammad has issued a scathing statement demanding the immediate departure of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), declaring it “unwelcome” and accusing it of irresponsible conduct regarding the Libyan crisis.
In a statement published on the government’s official Facebook page, Hammad strongly denounced the latest briefing by SRSG Hanna Tetteh to the UN Security Council, describing it as riddled with “unacceptable transgressions” and “politically biased assessments.”
Hammad criticised the UN mission for remaining silent on recent armed assaults on unarmed civilians and state institutions in Tripoli, allegedly carried out by forces loyal to Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah. He accused UNSMIL of ignoring the grievances voiced during mass demonstrations outside its headquarters in Janzour, portraying protesters as threats rather than citizens expressing legitimate political anger.
The prime minister further alleged that UNSMIL is deepening divisions and undermining national unity by supporting “a de facto reality imposed by force,” thereby acting as a party to the conflict instead of a neutral mediator.
Hammad rejected the mission’s reference to the House of Representatives’ budget discussions for the Reconstruction Fund, calling it an “unacceptable political intrusion” into the powers of Libya’s only elected legislative body. He reaffirmed the Parliament’s sole authority to approve national and sectoral budgets, including those for reconstruction.
Citing Article 7(2) of the UN Charter, Hammad reminded UNSMIL of the principle of national sovereignty and accused the mission of overstepping its mandate. He also voiced reservations about the Berlin Process, calling it a failure that marginalised legitimate institutions and the will of the Libyan people.
Concluding his statement, Hammad reiterated his government’s commitment to holding national elections and forming a unified executive authority, urging the international community to adopt a realistic and responsible approach to Libya’s political future.
