UN Security Council extends Libya mission mandate for a year

The UN Security Council has extended the mandate of its Libya mission for a year, until 31 October 2027, giving it continued backing to support a political process aimed at national elections.

The Council adopted Resolution 2835 on 30 October by 13 votes to none, with Greece and Russia abstaining. It reaffirmed support for Hanna S. Tetteh, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

The resolution calls on Libya’s political institutions and key stakeholders to negotiate in good faith, without preconditions or delay, towards free, fair and inclusive presidential and parliamentary elections. It also urges Libyan stakeholders to work towards reunifying state institutions and forming a unified government, while calling on outside states to respect Libya’s sovereignty and refrain from interference.

UNSMIL is encouraged to strengthen its presence across the country, including through targeted expansions in Benghazi, Sabha and Sirte, while keeping the changes cost-neutral and within its existing resources. The Council also asked the mission to seek further efficiencies by prioritising and reconfiguring its tasks and resources.

The resolution calls for full implementation of the 2020 ceasefire, including the withdrawal of mercenaries, foreign fighters and foreign forces under an action plan agreed by Libya’s 5+5 Joint Military Commission. It also urges all parties to take further steps towards reunifying the country’s institutions.

The vote followed debate over the mission’s next phase. Russia abstained, saying proposals it had supported were not fully reflected in the text. China urged UNSMIL to help implement an agreement reached by the 4+4 Smaller Convening dialogue group, while Greece and France stressed that any maritime-boundary agreement must respect state sovereignty.