The Libyan government, led by Prime Minister Osama Hammad, has strongly rejected the recent briefing delivered by UN envoy Hana Tetteh to the Security Council, accusing her of exceeding her mandate and interfering in Libya’s internal affairs.
In an official statement, the government said Tetteh’s remarks included “serious inaccuracies and unacceptable interference” in sovereign institutions. It accused the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) of acting beyond its authorized role, particularly by attempting to influence the structure of the High National Elections Commission in a way that “disregards Libyan laws and national sovereignty.”
The statement further dismissed Tetteh’s claim that she maintains contact with all Libyan stakeholders, asserting that her mission has deliberately excluded the government from dialogue — a practice it described as “selective and politically motivated.”
The government also accused UNSMIL of attempting to impose oversight on Libyan legislation and internal financial institutions, including the Central Bank, without legal authority. It said these actions constitute “a serious encroachment on Libya’s sovereignty and a violation of international diplomatic norms.”
According to the statement, the mission has even suggested bypassing elected Libyan institutions if they fail to align with its plans — an approach the government described as “a direct threat to national legitimacy and stability.”
While reaffirming its support for the UN Secretary-General’s roadmap, the government said the current mission’s actions represent “a dangerous deviation from its mandate” and undermine efforts to restore trust between Libya and the United Nations.
The statement concluded by emphasizing that Libya’s relationship with international organizations must be based on mutual respect and equality. It warned that the government will take all political, legal, and diplomatic measures necessary to protect the country’s sovereignty and constitutional institutions.
The government also endorsed Secretary-General António Guterres’s call to restructure UNSMIL and relocate its offices to Benghazi and Sebha to ensure balanced regional representation across Libya.
