In brief
Libyan Presidential Council head Mohamed Menfi and eastern authorities welcomed the UN Security Council's Resolution 2835, which extended the mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya for 12 months. Menfi praised the mission's mediation role and urged national unity, while eastern officials stressed the need to unify state institutions ahead of elections. The resolution received 13 votes in favor, with Russia and Greece abstaining.
The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2835 on Friday, extending the mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for another year and marking a crucial milestone in Libya’s long‑standing quest for stability.
This decision came at a time when Libya’s two rival administrations continue to compete for power, with the internationally recognised Government of National Unity based in Tripoli and the southern‑aligned government in Benghazi, backed by forces led by Khalifa Haftar.
According to Xinhua, 13 of the council’s 15 members voted in favour of the resolution, while Russia and Greece chose to abstain. The vote took place shortly before the previous UNSMIL mandate was set to expire, ensuring a seamless transition for the mission’s ongoing work.
On his official Facebook page, Mohamed Menfi praised UNSMIL for leading mediation efforts and described the resolution as reaffirming respect for Libya’s sovereignty, national unity, and the political frameworks in place. Menfi highlighted the resolution’s emphasis on unifying state institutions, rejecting unilateral actions, and warned that any agreement lacking national consensus would fail to secure a sustainable political settlement.
East‑Libyan authorities echoed Menfi’s sentiments, welcoming the UN resolution while stressing the necessity of establishing a unified executive, ending institutional divisions, and consolidating sovereign and oversight bodies. They argued that such unity would lay the groundwork for free, fair elections based on a shared national consensus and a stable constitutional and legal framework.
Experts noted that the extension of UNSMIL’s mandate could strengthen its work on conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance, and support for political dialogue. Given the fragile state of Libya’s institutions, the mission’s continued presence is seen as a critical element in preventing further fragmentation and facilitating a more inclusive political process.
While the UN resolution moves the country closer to a coordinated governance structure, the underlying political divides suggest the path ahead will remain complex. Both sides have acknowledged that lasting peace will depend on genuine national consensus and transparent institutional reforms.
