Libyan state council accuses UN and foreign actors of meddling

Libya’s fragile political balance is under renewed strain as tensions mount over who truly holds the power to shape its future, according to the Libya Review on April 20^th.

The High Council of State has accused the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and other international actors of attempting to impose political figures and frameworks to control power and state resources amid the ongoing deadlock.

In a statement, the council expressed “grave concern” about the ongoing stalemate and institutional fragmentation, warning that the crisis continues to disrupt daily life and hinder efforts to build a democratic, law-governed state free from corruption.

It pointed to recent initiatives that, in its view, sideline both public will and recognised institutions in favour of narrow interests.

Furthermore, the council alleged that some efforts have sought to elevate individuals or political arrangements supported by external actors, cautioning that bypassing established legal frameworks or empowering regional and family-based structures could further destabilise the country.

Particular criticism was directed at the UNSMIL, which the council accused of selectively engaging with figures from legislative and executive bodies without adhering to formal institutional processes.

This approach, it is argued, raises questions about the mission’s intentions and risks undermining Libya’s recognised authorities.

The High Council of State’s (HCS) remarks appear to be aimed at recent internationally backed proposals, including the reported US-supported efforts to broker a power-sharing arrangement between rival camps such as those linked to Abdulhamid Dbeibah and Khalifa Haftar.

By criticising attempts to “impose” political figures and frameworks, the council is also signalling concern over the wider role of foreign powers, such as Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, whose competing interests and influence in Libya’s political and security landscape have long shaped the trajectory of the crisis.

Soon after the criticism of the UNSMIL by the HCS, Massad Boulos, a senior US adviser for Africa, reiterated Washington’s continued backing of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya in a post on X.

According to the council, the core barrier to a comprehensive political settlement lies in attempts to impose solutions from outside, rather than allowing Libyans to determine their own democratic path.

It called on the international community to reconsider its strategy and instead prioritise support for a constitutional framework as the foundation for progress.

The statement also warned against legitimising individuals facing corruption allegations referenced in UN reporting.

This part of the statement clearly alludes to the leaked UN report that places Saddam Haftar at the centre of ongoing oil and fuel smuggling activities.

At the same time, it welcomed recent economic reforms, including measures by the Central Bank of Libya to unify public spending and strengthen financial oversight.

Reaffirming its stance, the council urged political forces to rally behind a nationally driven process that rejects foreign interference and leads to simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections, stressing that Libya’s sovereignty and stability remain a “red line.”

Libya Review, The Libya Observer, X, Maghrebi.org