In a comprehensive briefing to the UN Security Council, Special Representative Hanna Tetteh delivered a stark assessment of Libya’s current trajectory, highlighting persistent economic instability and escalating security tensions across the country.
Tetteh acknowledged recent reform efforts by the Central Bank of Libya and the Ministry of Finance, including the initial automation of public sector payrolls in areas under the Government of National Unity (GNU), the launch of a transparent platform for foreign currency allocation, and the licensing of official exchange companies. These steps, she said, represent commendable progress toward improving financial oversight and curbing the influence of the parallel currency market.
However, she cautioned that the positive impact of these measures remains limited in the absence of broader structural reforms. Continued parallel public spending and the failure to address entrenched corruption threaten to undermine fiscal discipline and economic recovery. Tetteh reiterated the UN’s call for a unified, realistic, and balanced national budget that reflects shared priorities and promotes long-term financial sustainability. She also urged all public-sector entities across Libya to adopt the automated payroll system to enhance transparency and accountability.
On the security front, Tetteh described the situation as “highly volatile,” with increased mobilization among armed groups and deepening tensions in Tripoli. While a fragile ceasefire has held since the violent clashes in mid-May 2025, she expressed concern over credible reports of ongoing violations. The unresolved dispute between the GNU and the Deterrence Apparatus for Combating Organized Crime and Terrorism continues to fuel instability, with both sides maintaining a posture of heightened alert.
Tetteh called on both parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and to refrain from provocative demands that risk reigniting conflict. She commended the ongoing Libyan-led mediation efforts, particularly those undertaken by the Security Arrangements Committee and the Ceasefire Committee, and reaffirmed the UN’s support for these initiatives.
The UN mission also reported 20 deaths in custody between March 2024 and August 2025, including two recent cases. One of them involved political activist Abdel Moneim Al-Marimi, who died in detention in Tripoli on July 4, shortly after a release order had been issued. Tetteh described these incidents as part of a broader, systemic pattern of grave human rights violations committed with impunity, including abuses targeting migrants and refugees.
She voiced alarm over the forced return of migrants to active conflict zones, notably Sudan, and cited the dire humanitarian conditions in Kufra, where the number of Sudanese refugees now exceeds the local population—creating a volatile environment ripe for further unrest.
