Abdoulaye Bathily, the head of the United Nations mission in Libya, has stated emphatically that the country can no longer tolerate the formation of another interim government. In a candid interview, Batilly urged for the immediate establishment of a unified Libyan government to pave the way for conducive electoral conditions.
Bathily disclosed that he has been involved in intense consultations with key Libyan stakeholders, not only meeting institutional leaders but also engaging with ordinary Libyans from various walks of life. He has traveled across different regions of Libya, including the east, west, and south, and spoken to citizens concerned about their country’s future.
Libya has suffered nearly a decade of internal strife, marked by interim arrangements and profound division. “I think the time has come to close this chapter of division and conflict so that the Libyan people can gain the stability and peace they so desperately need,” said al-Batilly, adding that Libya has enough resources to flourish economically.
His remarks also underscored the regional importance of Libyan stability, which impacts not just the Libyan people but also the broader region. Since the onset of conflict in 2011, the Sahel region has experienced the rise of extremist groups, jihadist movements, and criminal gangs that roam the Sahel and desert areas, as well as Libya’s direct North African neighbors.
“Peace and stability in Libya today are not just for Libyans but also for its neighbors. That’s why I am committed to working with all Libyans to restore peace and stability,” stated Bathily.
He pointed out that Libyans are eager for peace and stability, emphasizing that elections are the only pathway to reinstate institutional legitimacy. Existing institutions, be it judicial or legislative, have long become obsolete. “There is a need to renew the legislative council, whether it is the House of Representatives or the State Council,” he clarified.
Bathily further warned that Libya currently has two governments, one in the east and another in the west, a precarious situation that could escalate fears about the future of a country already suffering from divided political, security, and military leadership. “If this continues, Libya could fall into the abyss of long-term division that could see the country lose its sovereignty and territorial unity,” he concluded.
This important declaration comes at a critical juncture for Libya, a country that has been plagued by internal divisions and external interventions. It serves as a loud call to both local and international communities to urgently respond to the desperate need for unity and sovereignty in Libya, thereby setting the stage for its reconstruction and future development.