Tripoli — Stephanie Khoury, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Political Affairs in Libya, discussed the latest political and economic developments in the country with Mohamed bin Ghalboun, the Minister of Local Governance-designate in the Government of National Unity. The discussions covered developments related to the political roadmap facilitated by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), as well as the outcomes of meetings of the mini-committee known as the “4+4.”

According to a statement issued by UNSMIL on Saturday, bin Ghalboun stressed the importance of advancing the political process and strengthening the participation of elected mayors and municipal councils in efforts to resolve Libya’s political crisis. He also underscored the need to support women serving as municipal council heads or members, thereby enhancing their representation in local institutions and strengthening their participation in decision-making.

For her part, Khoury welcomed engagement with elected local officials. Both sides agreed to maintain communication and explore opportunities to expand cooperation, particularly in development initiatives, while ensuring the active and meaningful participation of municipalities in relevant political processes concerning the country’s future.

UN Efforts to Develop Mechanisms for Political Settlement

The meeting comes amid continued UN efforts to advance Libya’s political process, as consultations persist over mechanisms to overcome disagreements among political actors and institutions and reach consensus on the next steps.

In this context, Hanna Tetteh, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, announced during her briefing to the UN Security Council last Wednesday that dialogue with members of the “4+4” mini-committee would continue throughout the current month to discuss the next steps in the political process.

Tetteh explained that the committee was not the only mechanism UNSMIL could rely on to advance the political process. She indicated that she intended to discuss with committee members the option of establishing a broadly representative national mechanism, in consultation with the Security Council, at a meeting scheduled for later in the month.

She also commended the committee members for their cooperation with experts in addressing disagreements related to the judicial file, reflecting the continuation of consultations on contentious issues requiring consensus among the parties concerned.

Article Five and the Option of a Broadly Representative National Mechanism

The proposal for an alternative mechanism is linked to Article Five of the agreement under discussion. The article provides for the agreement’s domestic adoption through a broadly representative mechanism sufficient to confer constitutional-document status upon it, as well as its international adoption through the UN Security Council to ensure that the parties comply with its provisions.

The article establishes an alternative pathway if the House of Representatives and the High Council of State fail to approve the agreement in its signed form within one month of its signing. Under this provision, a broader national mechanism may be used instead of relying exclusively on consensus between the two legislative institutions.

The proposal suggests that UNSMIL is seeking to broaden participation in the political process while maintaining consultations with the relevant parties and the Security Council as integral components of determining an appropriate mechanism for moving forward.

Municipalities and Broader Participation in the Political Process

The emphasis on the role of municipalities reflects a local dimension in the ongoing political efforts. Elected municipal councils could help broaden the participation base, convey local communities’ priorities to discussions concerning the country’s future, support development initiatives, and improve coordination between local authorities and national institutions.

The emphasis on women’s participation in municipal councils also highlights the importance of diverse representation in local institutions as a means of expanding participation in decision-making.

Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these efforts will depend on the Libyan parties’ ability to reach understandings on the political mechanisms to be adopted, clarify the roles of participating stakeholders, and translate announced understandings into practical and implementable steps.

Accordingly, consultations with local officials are taking place alongside discussions of alternative institutional options aimed at overcoming the political deadlock. The practical outcomes of these efforts will depend on the results of consultations concerning the “4+4” mini-committee, the prospects for reaching agreement on a broadly representative national mechanism, and the willingness of Libyan institutions and political actors to engage with the UN-facilitated process.