The United States has sharply escalated its warning to Libyan actors accused of obstructing the country’s political process, stressing that strict international sanctions remain fully in force and will be applied against anyone undermining efforts to end division and restore stability.
The US position was delivered during a UN Security Council session, signaling growing international impatience with continued political paralysis in Libya.
Jennifer Locetta, the US representative to the United Nations for Special Political Affairs, made clear that attempts to derail political agreements, delay institutional unification, or exploit state resources outside legal frameworks will carry serious consequences.
US officials emphasized that obstruction not only prolongs political disputes but also directly harms Libyan citizens by blocking economic recovery, weakening public services, and entrenching corruption.
The United States urged Libya’s House of Representatives and the High Council of State to honor and implement the unified development agreement signed between them, describing it as a necessary step toward breaking the current deadlock. Failure to translate political commitments into action, Washington warned, risks deepening instability and eroding public trust in state institutions.
US representatives reaffirmed that the international sanctions regime remains an effective deterrent against individuals and entities that sabotage political progress or misuse public funds. Any abuse of national resources for personal or factional gain, they said, will be met with targeted punitive measures aimed at protecting Libya’s public wealth and reinforcing accountability.
Washington also called on all countries to cooperate fully with the UN Panel of Experts on Libya, warning that any attempts to obstruct investigations or conceal violations would further destabilize the country and prolong institutional fragmentation. Transparency and international cooperation were described as essential pillars for a credible political settlement.
Special attention was given to the issue of illegal oil exports, which the United States warned pose a direct threat to Libya’s economic foundations. Undermining the independence of the National Oil Corporation, US officials said, benefits narrow networks while damaging the state’s most vital source of revenue and long-term stability.
The United States concluded by reaffirming its support for a Libyan-led political process based on sound governance, institutional unity, and the organization of elections. It urged Libyan leaders to move beyond short-term calculations and commit seriously to ending the prolonged transitional phase, reiterating Washington’s readiness to support Libya’s path toward stability, sovereignty, and accountable governance.
