The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has welcomed the swearing-in ceremony of 35 newly elected municipal councils, held in Tripoli on Thursday. The event was attended by Ulrika Richardson, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, as well as the UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Libya.
The ceremony followed municipal elections held in August and was described by the UN mission as a significant step towards strengthening democracy and restoring legitimacy to local authorities across the country. In a statement, UNSMIL highlighted that the process reflects the aspirations of Libyan citizens to choose their representatives and marks an encouraging sign of commitment to a peaceful and democratic transfer of power at the local level.
According to the mission, the newly formed councils are expected to play a key role in enhancing accountability and reinforcing the democratic process in their respective municipalities. The event was portrayed as a milestone in Libya’s local governance, amid broader national efforts to prepare for future elections.
UNSMIL also called on the Libyan authorities to allocate the necessary financial resources to the High National Elections Commission (HNEC). Adequate funding, the mission stressed, is essential for the timely organisation of elections in the remaining municipalities that have yet to complete the process.
The UN reiterated its continued support for Libya’s democratic transition and emphasised that well-resourced electoral institutions are critical to meeting the people’s expectations. By encouraging transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation, the mission underlined that local elections serve as an important foundation for stability and governance in the country.
