Member of the House of Representatives Abdul Salam Nasia, has voiced his concerns regarding the actions of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Hanna Tetteh, raising questions about her adherence to the core mandate assigned to her mission in Libya.
Nasia pointed out that since assuming her position, the Special Representative has held 21 official meetings, including nine with foreign ambassadors and five with government ministers. However, he noted that there has been no tangible progress toward bringing together Libya’s conflicting parties for direct dialogue to resolve contentious issues.
He further emphasized that the focus on bilateral meetings with foreign states and international organizations could be perceived as a deviation from the mission’s primary objective: facilitating dialogue among Libyans themselves and fostering national trust-building.
Nasia stressed that the UN mission must maintain its role as a neutral mediator, working to bridge the gaps between Libyan factions rather than concentrating solely on engagements with international and governmental actors.
He warned that this approach risks eroding trust in the UN’s mediation efforts, potentially leading to increased foreign interference and further complicating the situation in Libya.
Nasia also highlighted the high expectations placed on the UN mission to facilitate national dialogue, particularly in light of the ongoing sessions of the Advisory Committee. This, he noted, adds further pressure on the mission to deliver on these expectations and play a constructive role in Libya’s political process.
