Backing Political Unity, Pakistan Emphasizes Libya’s Sovereignty And Electoral Path
Pakistan has emphasized the need to respect Libyan sovereignty and the wishes of its people while noting Libya’s strides in advancing its political roadmap aimed at unifying divided institutions and paving the way for elections. Speaking in the UN Security Council, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, stated that an inclusive, Libyan-led process is the only viable route forward.
"The primary responsibility rests with the Libyan people, who must tread this path," he stressed, highlighting the importance of political will. Since the 2011 uprising that toppled Muammar Qaddafi, efforts to establish unified governance in Libya have faced obstacles due to institutional fragmentation and rival authorities. While a 2020 ceasefire reduced large-scale fighting, political divisions persist.
The Pakistani envoy welcomed regional and international efforts, including those by the U.S., supporting the UN-facilitated political process and noted the roadmap announced on June 18 by the leadership of the Presidential Council, House of Representatives, and High Council of State. He also praised the conclusion of the dialogue between stakeholders and continued engagement between military and security institutions from eastern and western Libya.
"We believe these efforts would contribute to national reconciliation and a unified government for durable peace and stability in Libya, and the well-being and prosperity of its people," the envoy added.
Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UNSMIL, told the 15-member Council that moving Libya’s political process forward is "crucial." She noted that widespread power outages and public discontent, exacerbated by a heatwave, highlight the consequences of institutional fragmentation.
"This is why the political process is about more than bridging political differences," Ms. Tetteh said. "It is about restoring the State’s capacity to provide for its people." She presented the roadmap, which she introduced to the Council a year ago, as a credible path to presidential and legislative elections.
