Libya Closed Consultations Briefing

This briefing has been prepared independently by Africa Security Analysis to inform stakeholders of the current diplomatic and security developments in Libya ahead of the UN Security Council’s closed consultations.

Overview

On Friday morning, 16 May 2025, the UN Security Council will hold closed consultations to address a recent spike in violence among armed groups in Tripoli. The meeting, requested by the United Kingdom (the Council’s Libya penholder), France, and the United States, will feature a briefing from Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya and head of UNSMIL.

Recent Escalation in Tripoli

• 12 May Clashes
  Violence erupted when Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, leader of the Stability Support Authority (SSA)—aligned with Libya’s Presidential Council—was killed inside a facility controlled by the 444 Brigade, a militia loyal to Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah’s Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU).
• Continued Fighting
  Although the SSA stood down quickly, clashes persisted between the 444 Brigade and Radaa, a militia opposed to Dbeibah’s order to disband “parallel security institutions.” A ceasefire declared on 13 May failed to fully hold, and skirmishes continued on 14 May in densely populated neighbourhoods, leaving at least eight civilians dead.

Political and Security Context

Libya remains divided between two rival administrations:

• The UN-recognized GNU in Tripoli, supported by various militias under government command.
• The eastern-based Government of National Stability (GNS), backed by General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army.

The Presidential Council, established under the 2015 Libyan Political Agreement, nominally serves as the unified head of state, but competing power centres and fragmented armed groups continue to undermine stability.

UN and International Response

• UNSMIL Statements
  On 14 and 15 May, UNSMIL condemned the rapid escalation, warned that violence could spiral out of control, and called for immediate dialogue. The mission announced plans to establish a dedicated mechanism to monitor and sustain the fragile truce.
• UN Secretary-General
  António Guterres expressed sorrow for civilian casualties, noted the external actors drawn into the Tripoli clashes, and reiterated the UN’s readiness to mediate a peaceful, inclusive political process.

Expectations for 16 May Consultations

Council members will likely:

• Express deep concern over the loss of civilian life and urge all parties to uphold and strengthen the ceasefire.
• Seek Tetteh’s insights into the political dynamics within the GNU and between Tripoli-based factions, as well as the potential involvement of eastern-based armed actors allied to the GNS.
• Request details on UNSMIL’s new ceasefire support mechanism—its mandate, staffing, and operational plan—and explore how the Council can back the mission’s efforts.
• Reaffirm the necessity of a Libyan-led, inclusive dialogue culminating in national elections to reconcile the rival administrations and restore security and governance.

Broader Security Council Agenda

The Tripoli consultations occur amid a busy month for Libya on the Council’s agenda. Earlier on 15 May, members received a biannual briefing from the ICC Prosecutor on the court’s Libya-related activities. Later in May, the Council is set to vote on renewing authorizations for member states to inspect vessels suspected of violating the Libyan arms embargo on the high seas.