The relationship between the UN mission and authorities in eastern Libya has entered an unprecedented phase of tension. The head of the government formed by the House of Representatives, Osama Hammad, announced that the movement and activities of international missions and diplomats within Libyan territory are subject solely to national laws. This implies restrictions on the operations of the head and staff of the mission in eastern, central, and southern Libya.
During a graduation ceremony for the fourth batch of the High Institute for Police Officers in Benghazi, Hammad stated that using UN cover or diplomatic status to conduct meetings or activities without prior permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs represents an unacceptable violation of national sovereignty. He emphasized that the government will not tolerate such practices and will impose strict legal actions against offenders, regardless of their positions or affiliations.
Hammad added that the entry, movement, or presence of members of diplomatic missions and representatives of regional and international organizations is only permitted with explicit approval from the relevant Libyan authorities, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He urged security and police agencies to take necessary legal measures to prevent any violations, underscoring that preserving the country’s sovereignty and independent decision-making is a national priority.
In response, the mission expressed its concern over statements made by certain political figures that incited illegal actions against its personnel and premises. It warned against attempts to undermine the political process and affirmed its full and unconditional respect for the local population’s right to peaceful protests and expression. The mission considers direct communication with the Libyan people as a cornerstone of its operations.
The mission voiced its discontent regarding what it termed incitement campaigns and rumors targeting it, noting that such rhetoric could hinder UN efforts to initiate a political process leading to elections, unify institutions, and achieve stability.
It also stressed the importance of maintaining the peaceful nature of any demonstrations and refraining from illegal actions, calling for resolving disputes through constructive dialogue. The mission reminded of the 1946 agreement regarding the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, as well as the agreement with Libyan authorities that prescribes respect for the sanctity of UN premises, personnel, and property, stating that it will continue to monitor developments closely.
Public Discontent
This situation comes in the wake of mass protests organized around the UN mission’s headquarters in Tripoli. The government formed by the House of Representatives stated that the ongoing protests in Libya are a natural expression of growing discontent towards the mission, which they claim has failed to achieve any significant progress over the past decade and has complicated the crisis by supporting fragile arrangements and unrealistic paths.
The government condemned what it described as the mission’s efforts to portray public protests as a conspiracy against settlement efforts or as incitement to violence, characterizing this as an act of evasion from responsibility and a deliberate misinformation of the international public. It stressed that freedom of expression and peaceful protest is a right guaranteed by national laws and international covenants, and any infringement on this right is unacceptable.
Joint Statement
Additionally, 70 members of the House of Representatives issued a joint statement expressing their rejection of what they deemed a diversion from the mission’s work. They warned against any political arrangements made without the participation of Libyans or conducted behind closed doors.
The lawmakers called for UN Secretary-General António Guterres to reassess the performance of the UN mission in Libya, asserting that its role should be limited to facilitating dialogue among Libyans rather than imposing external solutions. They firmly rejected transforming Libya into a testing ground for failed models or enforcing political frameworks that do not align with Libya’s identity and do not reflect the aspirations of the Libyan people for a free and democratic state. They attributed to the UN mission the responsibility for complicating the political landscape and prolonging division by supporting factions lacking popular or constitutional legitimacy.
Observers believe this crisis has arisen just ahead of the announcement of a roadmap that Head of the Mission, Hana Titi, promised to reveal officially in August.