In his final briefing to the UN Security Council, outgoing United Nations envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily announced his resignation, citing two key factors behind the deteriorating situation in the country.
“The past months have seen a worrying deterioration in Libya, primarily due to the lack of political will and good faith from the main Libyan actors, as well as the emerging regional and international dynamics at play,” Bathily told reporters at a press conference following his UN address.
Bathily painted a bleak picture of Libya’s current state, saying the country has effectively become “a battlefield” as various domestic and foreign forces vie for influence on Libyan soil. “Libya is increasingly moving towards a loss of its sovereignty,” he lamented, despite the UN mission’s efforts to steer the country towards a political solution.
The outgoing envoy placed blame on both Libyan leaders, who he said prioritize their “personal interests” over the country’s needs, as well as the “parallel tracks” taken by international powers, which he said “undermines the efforts of the United Nations.”
Bathily warned that the economic situation in Libya is also deteriorating, with the country becoming “a source of external economic interference” due to mismanagement by the current leadership. He expressed skepticism about the prospects for democracy in Libya, stating “there is no democracy on the horizon.”
In his final assessment, Bathily concluded that “there is no prospect for a solution in the future,” despite the apparent eagerness of the Libyan public, political parties, civil society, women, and tribal leaders to see an end to the crisis.