Observers say most Libyans want a constitution and elections to end years of interim governments
Libyan political analyst Sami Radwan has accused the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) of bearing significant responsibility for the stalled political process and deepening divisions in the country, arguing that its performance in recent years has fallen well below expectations.
Speaking to Libyan Express, Radwan said Libyans had hoped the mission would act as a bridge for consensus and a neutral mediator to help foster a stable political environment. Instead, he argued, reality has shown the opposite: “Initiatives multiplied, proposals diverged, and no process was ever completed — only prolonging the crisis.”
He added that UNSMIL’s initiatives consistently ran up against entrenched domestic rivalries and external interference, leaving the mission unable to impose a clear course or guarantee the implementation of agreements. As a result, Radwan noted, Libyans have grown sceptical of any new roadmap that lacks credible guarantees for delivery.
He stressed the need for a comprehensive reassessment of the mission’s role, away from narrow calculations and foreign pressures, and aligned instead with the aspirations of Libyans for stability and a definitive end to transitional phases through free and transparent elections.
Foiled attack on UN mission headquarters
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry of the Government of National Unity said early on Friday that it had thwarted an attempt to strike the UN mission’s compound in Janzour, west of Tripoli, with an SPG-type rocket.
According to the ministry, the rocket hit a nearby house without causing casualties. Security forces later seized a vehicle carrying two additional rockets and the launch platform.
The ministry said investigations are under way to identify those involved, stressing its commitment to protecting UN and diplomatic facilities and warning that it will not tolerate any attempt to undermine security or stability.
The UN mission confirmed that its premises were not affected and praised the readiness of Libyan security forces. It reiterated its determination to continue supporting peace efforts and the rule of law despite ongoing challenges.
A new political roadmap
The incident came only hours after UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh briefed the Security Council on a new roadmap for Libya built on three pillars:
- Establishing a technically sound and politically feasible electoral framework to pave the way for presidential and parliamentary elections.
- Unifying state institutions through the formation of a new government.
- Launching a broad, structured dialogue engaging all segments of Libyan society.
Tetteh explained that the plan would unfold gradually over 12 to 18 months. The first stage involves restructuring the board of the High National Elections Commission and filling vacant positions, alongside revising the legal and constitutional framework that blocked the December 2021 elections.
She said the following stage would focus on reaching consensus on a unified government capable of preparing the environment for elections while tackling security, economic, and reconciliation issues. The structured dialogue, she added, would bring in political, civil, and academic actors, as well as youth, women, and people with disabilities, to produce actionable recommendations to address the root causes of conflict.
Dbeibeh welcomes but warns against delays
Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh welcomed the UN envoy’s briefing, describing electoral legislation as “the most important step” in removing obstacles to the long-awaited polls.
In a statement on social media, Dbeibeh said Tetteh’s remarks confirmed that flawed electoral laws were the main reason the 2021 elections collapsed. He added that any process opening the path to elections and institutional unification “is a step in the right direction.”
However, he cautioned that institutional unification must not be used as a pretext to postpone elections.
Constitution first, then elections to end division
Analysts note that many Libyans are no longer willing to tolerate the recycling of interim governments. They argue that the real solution begins with adopting the long-delayed Libyan constitution as the sole legitimate reference, followed by transparent elections to produce a government with full popular legitimacy.
They warn that any attempt to prolong transitional phases will only weaken state institutions further and deepen national divisions.
