In the capital Tripoli, Libya, the United Nations Security Council approved Resolution 2835 on Friday, extending the mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for an additional twelve months. The decision, which comes just before the mission’s previous mandate expires, was welcomed by Libyan Presidential Council head Mohamed Menfi and officials from eastern Libya.
UN Security Council Approves UNSMIL Extension
The Security Council adopted the resolution with 13 votes in favor, the votes of 13 of the Council’s 15 members, while Russia and Greece abstained. The resolution officially extends UNSMIL’s mandate through the end of next year, ensuring the mission can continue its mediation work in a country still divided by rival administrations.
UNSMIL has spent the past year working with Libya’s two main governing bodies – the Government of National Unity in Tripoli and the House of Representatives‑appointed administration in Benghazi – to facilitate dialogue and support a unified political process. The new mandate signals the international community’s continued commitment to a stable Libya.
Reactions from Libya’s Leadership
On his official Facebook page, Menfi praised UNSMIL for leading mediation efforts and said the resolution reaffirmed respect for Libya’s sovereignty, national unity and the frameworks governing the political process. He welcomed the resolution’s emphasis on unifying state institutions and rejecting unilateral measures that could deepen divisions. Menfi warned that any understandings not based on national consensus would be unable to ensure a sustainable political settlement.
Eastern Libyan authorities echoed Menfi’s sentiment, urging the establishment of a unified executive authority, the ending of institutional divisions, and the unification of sovereign and oversight institutions. They said these steps were necessary to pave the way for free and fair elections grounded in national consensus and a sound constitutional and legal framework.
Both sides of Libya’s political divide recognize that the UN’s support remains vital. UNSMIL’s work has been pivotal in easing tensions and fostering dialogue, a fact underscored by the coffee‑break level meetings held with the two administrations throughout the last year. The extension of the mission’s mandate is expected to keep those conduits open as Libya continues its long‑running quest for unity and peace.
With the mandate renewal, UNSMIL will continue to monitor cease‑fire agreements, support institution‑building projects and endeavor to bring about an inclusive political dialogue that brings all Libyan peoples together. The extended support from the UN and its member states provides assurance that international backing will persist as Libya seeks a pathway to stable governance.
