United States Chairs Libya Senior Officials Meeting To Discuss Economic Foundations For Unity And Security

The United States led a meeting of senior officials from various countries on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly session in New York. The gathering included representatives from the UAE, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the UK. The focus was on establishing economic foundations to promote unity and security in Libya.

Hanna Tetteh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of UNSMIL, provided an update on Libya's situation. She discussed efforts to advance UNSMIL's political roadmap and foster inclusive dialogue among diverse Libyan parties. Her briefing was well-received by participants.

The meeting highlighted the necessity of strong economic foundations for a safer and more prosperous Libya. Participants emphasised supporting key independent institutions like the National Oil Corporation and the Central Bank of Libya. These institutions are vital for ensuring economic stability and fostering a conducive business environment.

The statement issued at the end of the meeting reaffirmed international support for Libya's journey towards unity, security, stability, and prosperity. It praised Hanna Tetteh's efforts in advancing Libya's political process and stressed the importance of integrating east-west security to enhance regional stability.

Participants acknowledged that integrating security forces across Libya is crucial for regional stability. They supported modifying the UN arms embargo in 2025 to allow joint training and technical assistance. This step aims to facilitate east-west security integration in Libya.

The discussions underscored that unifying political institutions is essential for promoting prosperity for all Libyans. A unified political front is also necessary to defend Libya’s sovereignty, protect its borders, and prevent threats like illegal migration and weapons trafficking.

International Cooperation

There was consensus among participants on the importance of coordinated international efforts to support economic stability in Libya. Such cooperation would create investment opportunities and safeguard resources, driving greater unity and prosperity within the country.

The chair commended participants' support for these initiatives as they aim to bolster Libya’s progress towards a stable future. The collective effort is seen as pivotal in achieving long-term peace and development in the region.

With inputs from WAM