The United Kingdom told the United Nations Security Council that Libya’s prolonged political deadlock continues to deny citizens democratic choice, economic opportunity, and security. The statement set out London’s assessment that continued inaction is worsening instability, undermining governance, and eroding public trust across the country.
The remarks were delivered on 19 December 2025 by Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Minister Counsellor, speaking on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, during a Security Council meeting on Libya at United Nations headquarters in New York.
UK Statement at the UN Security Council
The UK used the Security Council session to restate its view that Libya’s political impasse has become unsustainable. The statement linked the absence of progress directly to declining security conditions, persistent corruption, and stalled democratic processes. It also positioned the Council as an appropriate forum for reinforcing international expectations on Libyan political actors.
Support for UN-Led Political Process
The UK reaffirmed full support for the work of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya and its efforts to advance an inclusive political process. London said UN-led facilitation remains central to creating a credible pathway toward elections and institutional unification. The statement emphasised the importance of sustained international backing for these mechanisms.
The UK welcomed the launch of the Structured Dialogue on 14 December as a step toward broader participation in shaping Libya’s future. It highlighted the inclusion of voices beyond political elites, including women and youth, as essential to restoring legitimacy. The remarks aligned with positions previously outlined by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General.
UN Political Track Overview
| Structured Dialogue | Launched in December to bring together a wide range of Libyan participants to inform political and legislative recommendations. |
| Roadmap | An 18-month framework presented earlier in 2025 aimed at leading to national elections and unified institutions. |
Pressure on Libyan Political Institutions
The statement urged Libya’s political institutions mandated to prepare an electoral pathway to accelerate their work. The UK expressed concern that milestones outlined in the UN roadmap presented in August remain unmet several months later. It called for tangible progress rather than continued delay.
The remarks specifically referenced the need for movement between Libya’s rival legislative bodies. The UK said dialogue between the House of Representatives and the High Council of State must demonstrate concrete outcomes to maintain confidence in the political process. Continued stalling, it warned, risks further weakening institutional credibility.
- House of Representatives engagement
- High Council of State cooperation
Economic Governance and Stability Risks
The UK welcomed the recent agreement on the Unified Development Programme as a positive signal for Libya’s economic future. It described the framework as an opportunity to protect national resources and reduce fragmentation across rival authorities. The statement stressed that economic arrangements are closely tied to political stability.
London underlined that the programme must operate transparently and equitably. It warned that diversion of funds for narrow interests would undermine public confidence and repeat past failures. Economic governance, the UK argued, is inseparable from broader political reform.
- Transparent management of development funds
- Equitable distribution across regions
Economic Coordination Measures
| Unified Development Programme | A joint framework agreed by rival institutions to align development spending and protect Libya’s economic future. |
| Oversight expectations | International partners stress transparency to prevent misuse and reinforce public trust. |
Ministerial Comments
Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Minister Counsellor said;
“Libya’s prolonged political deadlock continues to deny its people the democratic choice, economic opportunity, and security they deserve. Every month without progress deepens instability, fuels corruption, and erodes public trust.”
To Summarize
The UK’s intervention at the Security Council underscored growing impatience among international partners with Libya’s lack of political progress. By tying continued deadlock to instability, corruption, and weakened trust, London signalled that expectations for movement toward elections and unified governance are increasing.
The remarks reinforced support for UN-led efforts while pressing Libyan institutions to act with urgency.
Sources: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, UK Government Speeches.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
