China calls for breakthrough in Libya's political deadlock

China called for an end to Libya's prolonged political deadlock and warned that renewed armed conflict could undermine efforts to achieve peace and stability, as the North African country continues to grapple with divided institutions, security risks and economic pressures.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council briefing on Libya on Oct 14, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said the country had made progress in political dialogue, but still faced significant challenges in completing its political transition.

“However, Libya still needs to overcome many difficulties before it can truly end divisions, complete the transition, and achieve lasting peace and stability,” he said, calling for “coordinated and consistent support” from the international community.

Sun's remarks came as Libya sought to advance a UN-backed political roadmap following years of institutional division.

Since the overthrow of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, rival political authorities and armed groups have competed for power, with the UN-recognized Government of National Unity based in Tripoli and an eastern-based administration backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar.

National elections scheduled for December 2021 were postponed indefinitely, with disagreements over electoral rules and the formation of a unified government continuing to obstruct the political process.

Sun said the agreement reached through the UNSMIL-facilitated 4+4 Smaller Convening marked “important progress in implementing the Political Roadmap”.

China hopes the agreement will help unify Libya's state institutions and lay the foundation for national elections, he said.

But Sun said implementation would depend on broad domestic support in Libya.

“Whether the agreement can be truly implemented fundamentally depends on whether it can gain broad support from all Libyan parties,” he said.

He urged the UN mission to maintain an inclusive and open approach, strengthen communication with the parties concerned and prevent political differences from deepening tensions.

The international community must also respect Libya's ownership of its political transition, Sun said.

“In supporting Libya's political process, particularly on major issues such as establishing a single executive authority and unified state institutions.

“The international community must uphold the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned principle, encourage major political forces to keep the overall interests in mind, move toward each other, deepen consensus, and avoid imposing external solutions,” Sun said.

Security remains closely tied to the prospects for political progress, Sun said, expressing concern over continued attacks on energy facilities in western Libya.

“Any new armed conflict could undermine hard-won mutual trust and render political efforts futile,” he said, calling on the parties concerned to stop attacks and refrain from actions that could worsen the situation.

Sun described the unification of military and security institutions as crucial to maintaining a lasting ceasefire and ensuring the smooth conduct of elections and the transfer of power.

“We support the eastern and western sides in strengthening dialogue, building mutual trust and accelerating this process,” Sun said.

Economic governance and public welfare were also essential to lasting stability, Sun said, noting that although Libya's oil exports remained generally stable, oil smuggling persisted and public expenditure lacked unified management.

The international community should encourage all Libyan parties to implement a unified budget framework, strengthen fiscal transparency and independent oversight, and combat oil smuggling, he said.

The goal is to ensure that “Libya's oil revenues are used for national development and the well-being of its people,” Sun said.

He also pointed to shortages of electricity, water, fuel and other essential supplies, calling on international partners to support improvements in public services and reconstruction.

Sun urged the Security Council to maintain the UN's central role in advancing Libya's political process as UNSMIL's mandate approaches renewal.

“As a good friend of Libya, China stands ready to continue working with all parties and make greater efforts to help Libya achieve lasting peace and stability and enable its people to live and work in peace and contentment at an early date,” he said.