On Thursday, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), in coordination with the Italian government and other international partners, held the first meeting of the Libya Mine Action Support Group in Tripoli.
The meeting focused on expanding protection for Libyan civilians from landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), which remain a deadly threat in many parts of the country.
The initiative aims to improve coordination among donors, close urgent funding gaps, and streamline mine action efforts by identifying Libya’s highest-priority needs. Participants emphasized the need for sustainable international support, including mine clearance operations, victim assistance, and awareness campaigns.
UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh stressed that mine action is more than a technical process. “It’s not just about removing explosives—it’s about restoring dignity, protecting lives, and creating hope,” she said. “What Libyans cannot afford is more contamination, more fear, and more loss. The country needs stability, not more explosive risks.”
Landmines and UXOs remain widespread in Libya due to years of armed conflict, particularly around Tripoli, Sirte, and former frontlines. These hidden dangers continue to claim lives, block safe returns for displaced families, and delay reconstruction efforts across urban and rural areas alike.
Italy, a leading donor to Libya’s mine action programs, reaffirmed its commitment to long-term cooperation. Italian representatives pledged continued support for capacity-building, equipment, and coordination to help local partners respond more effectively to the threat.
The Libya Mine Action Support Group is intended to serve as a coordination mechanism that brings together technical actors, humanitarian organizations, and international donors to ensure mine action efforts are effective and targeted.
UNSMIL and its partners warned that failure to act will only prolong civilian suffering and hinder Libya’s path to recovery. The meeting concluded with a renewed call for international funding and political will to prioritize demining as part of Libya’s broader stabilization and peacebuilding efforts.
