On October 14, the UN Special Representative for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, briefed the Security Council. She welcomed a recently signed agreement meant to end the institutional deadlock and pave the way for parliamentary and presidential elections. The deal sets a deadline of up to two years to hold the vote under a unified executive. It also provides for a reshuffle of the leadership of the High National Elections Commission and aims to settle disputes over the constitutional and legal framework of the elections.
The trouble is that only the House of Representatives has approved it. The High Council of State has turned it down. Its president, Mohamed Takala, said so in a letter addressed directly to Hanna Tetteh. Attached were the resolutions the Council adopted at its 121st session on October 5. In them, the body rejects the so called “4+4” track, a restricted dialogue between four representatives from each side. The Council argues that the UN mission’s role is to facilitate the process, not to create parallel paths outside Libyan institutions. It also opposes several electoral laws passed by the House of Representatives, singling out two resolutions it considers unilateral. One endorses the deal reached in the restricted dialogue, while the other reorganises the elections commission. The Council says it intends to revive its own roadmap, first presented on August 21, 2025.
In response, Hanna Tetteh announced fresh consultations with the members of the 4+4 group. She wants to explore an alternative national mechanism that would better reflect Libya’s political forces. She urged Libyan actors to stop blocking progress, stressing that the country can no longer afford to delay elections.
Her assessment of the wider situation was sobering. On security, she noted encouraging talks between military leaders from the east and west, along with improved coordination between Tripoli and Benghazi. Tensions nonetheless remain high in the west, and the south still lags far behind in public services. Inflation stands at around 14 percent. Fuel subsidies are a heavy burden on public finances, made worse by smuggling. Repeated shutdowns of oil fields and pipelines are causing financial losses and threatening energy supplies. Health and education workers have gone on strike over delayed salaries. The UN also called for a moratorium on executions and warned against hostile rhetoric targeting migrants, refugees and aid workers.
In short, the agreement is there, but it will only take effect if the House of Representatives and the High Council of State manage to reach a compromise.