Tetteh Identifies Key Obstacles to Resolving Libya’s Political Deadlock
The UN envoy has pinpointed two primary obstacles preventing stability in Libya: the lack of a unified fiscal policy and the presence of foreign mercenaries.
The Libyan crisis has continued since 2011, and international pressure to break the political stalemate is intensifying. In an interview with Italy’s Nova agency on Monday evening, Hanna Tetteh, head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, identified two crucial factors hindering progress: the absence of a unified national budget and the deployment of foreign fighters.
Her comments underscore the depth and complexity of the crisis—from competition over economic resources to foreign interventions that fuel division and block any holistic political solution.
On finance, Tetteh emphasized that a unified national budget and agreed fiscal framework are prerequisites for implementing essential economic reforms. She warned that “debates over resource allocation are meaningless in the absence of a political leadership capable of drafting a unified budget that prevents misuse of public funds.”
She also described the challenges facing the UN mission in engaging on fiscal policy, explaining that “without political consensus on an annual budget defining spending limits and allocations by category, it is difficult for us to provide guidance on allocated expenditures, as there is no broader fiscal authority we can reference.”
Regarding economic reform, Tetteh stressed the importance of involving relevant Libyan stakeholders in identifying key sectors for reform—within the Berlin multilateral process and its four working groups, including the economic group. “In the economic group, it is vital that UNSMIL engage Libyan stakeholders to solicit their proposals for reforms in sectors needing attention,” she explained.
The UN mission aims to act as a bridge, organizing the participation of both civil and non-civil Libyan actors within the Berlin working groups.
Alongside financial hurdles, Tettaï described the presence of foreign mercenaries in Libya as one of the most significant and challenging obstacles to restoring stability and security. The UN mission continues to address the issue despite its complexity.
She noted that mercenaries are present in both eastern and western Libya, and that talks are underway with neighboring countries—such as Chad—and international organizations to facilitate their repatriation. Some have left voluntarily, while others are resistant. Despite the complexity, UNSMIL sees a real opportunity to address and resolve the foreign combatant issue.
Discussions now involve Libyan political and security authorities from both regions to tackle this core stability issue.
According to Nova, no official tally exists to confirm the number of foreign fighters in Libya, but recent UN documentation estimates around 20,000 mercenaries, including Sudanese, Chadian, Syrian, Russian, and Turkish nationals.
The report adds that forces affiliated with Moscow, operating under the “Africa Corps”, are active in eastern Libya, providing training, equipment, and military technology to the Libyan National Army loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. Main Russian bases include Jufra Airbase (280 km south of Sirte) and al-Khadem Airbase (180 km east of Benghazi), where Il‑76 cargo aircraft have been observed.
Turkish- and Syrian-backed fighters, said to have been dispatched on orders from President Erdoğan to support the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, are reportedly housed in camps on the outskirts of Tripoli. Initial estimates put their number at around 7,000 Syrians, though approximately 3,000 defected in 2023, fleeing camps to European countries, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. While the Turkish state has not officially acknowledged their presence, UN documents reveal that Sadat Defense, a Turkish private military company, recruited around 5,000 Syrian fighters for operations in Tripoli.
Turkey also maintains a military airbase at al‑Watiya, 127 km southwest of Tripoli and 28 km from the Tunisian border. Chadian and Sudanese mercenaries are reportedly used by Haftar primarily to secure the border region between Libya, Egypt, and Sudan, to counter illicit trafficking and ensure cross-border control.
Beyond problem diagnosis, Tettaï outlined a vision for breaking the stalemate through a bottom‑up approach involving the Libyan citizenry. “We aim to engage all Libyans,” she asserted, noting that broad participation is needed to craft a political roadmap to the UN Security Council grounded in public will.
To this end, the mission launched a recent survey that has already collected over 15,000 responses, demonstrating that the UN is not imposing decisions from above but listening to Libyan voices. One of the mandates emphasizes hearing social partners to understand their real aspirations, giving them equal weight with political leadership.
This approach embodies the “deeply Libyan” nature of the political process, reinforcing the mission’s legitimacy and credibility.
Tetteh announced she will release a clear timeline on August 20, or at the latest August 21, outlining steps to break the political deadlock that has persisted since 2011.
She confirmed that UNSMIL seeks input from all segments of Libyan society. To that end, she and her deputy, Stéphanie Khoury, visited multiple cities, municipal councils, civil society groups, women, youth, and individuals affected by the Gaddafi era. For instance, visiting Tarhouna—90 km south of Tripoli—provided deeper insight into local perspectives on political transition. The roadmap to be presented to the Security Council is still in preparation. Tetteh reiterated that reforming the electoral law is essential for holding credible elections, and that the mission is working with national advisory committees to finalize an agreement. Key recommendations include separating parliamentary and presidential elections, regulating military participation in voting and candidacy, setting eligibility criteria for dual‑citizenship presidential contenders, and mandating a runoff if no candidate secures over 50 % of the vote.
She also recommends increasing women’s representation to 30 % in Parliament and 15 % in the High Council of State, and ensuring the electoral commission’s financial and operational independence.
Finally, Tetteh emphasized that a future constitutional framework must be embraced by all Libyans, and that UNSMIL will play a substantive role in drafting a new constitution.
