The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has stepped up high-level talks with senior military and security officials in recent days, amid concerns that the forthcoming announcement of a political roadmap to the UN Security Council on August 21 could trigger new armed confrontations.
Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Hana Tetteh, along with her Deputy for Political Affairs, met with the Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army and Head of the Ceasefire Committee, General Mohamed Al-Haddad. Al-Haddad briefed her on ongoing efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Tripoli, stressing the importance of preventing any escalation.
Both parties reaffirmed the need to settle disputes peacefully, uphold human rights, and unify the armed forces under civilian authority, while advancing preparations for elections and ending the country’s prolonged transitional period.
Tetteh also held talks with the Security and Military Arrangements Committee to assess the situation in Tripoli since the May clashes.
She praised their role in containing tensions, while members warned against provocative actions that could spark renewed violence. They agreed on the need for inclusive dialogue to resolve unresolved security matters and on involving all security institutions in reforming and restructuring the western region’s security apparatus.
In Tunisia, Tetteh met members of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission, who reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the ceasefire and securing the withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries, a key step toward long-term stability. The commission stressed that progress in the political process is essential for enabling security reforms.
Analysts view the UN’s intensified military diplomacy as a sign of its awareness that the next stage is highly sensitive. Any breakdown in security, they warn, could derail the political roadmap and jeopardize the fragile stability in Tripoli and western Libya.
