Security Council Renews Mandate of United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2796 (2025)
Meetings Coverage
Security Council
10029th Meeting (PM)
SC/16207
31 October 2025
The Security Council today renewed for 12 months the authorization to establish a European Union-led stabilization force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Security Council today extended the United Nations Support Mission in Libya or UNSMIL's mandate for one year until 31 October 2026, reiterating its full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the Mission, Hanna S. Tetteh, in her efforts to further an inclusive political process.
Unanimously adopting resolution 2796 (2025) (to be issued as document S/RES/2796(2025)), the Council encouraged the Mission to implement the recommendations of the Strategic Review (contained in document S/2025/611). The recommendations include the following: continuing to place the support of a political solution to the Libyan conflict at the core of the Mission's mandate; streamlining UNSMIL's workstreams to advance Libya's political process; and establishing a more consistent presence across Libya, including targeted expansions of the Mission in Benghazi and Sabha while maintaining a cost-neutral realignment and within existing resources.
By other terms, the Council urged Libyan political institutions and key stakeholders to resolve outstanding politically contentious issues and make the compromises necessary to progress a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned, UNSMIL-facilitated negotiation to deliver free, fair, transparent and inclusive national presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible.
Emphasizing that "there can be no military solution in Libya", it called upon all parties to refrain from violence, military actions or any other actions that could escalate tensions, exacerbate conflicts, endanger civilians and undermine the political process or the 23 October 2020 ceasefire in Libya, which should be implemented in full.
Also, by the text, the Council urged all Member States to fully respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya, and refrain from external interference which seeks to undermine Libya's sovereignty and foment conflict and instability in Libya and the wider region.
It also called on all parties to take further steps to implement the 23 October 2020 ceasefire agreement in full, including the action plan for the withdrawal of mercenaries, foreign fighters and foreign forces agreed upon by the 5+5 Joint Military Commission in Geneva on 8 October 2021.
Following the vote, several delegates welcomed the renewal of UNSMIL and underscored that Libya is at a critical junction.
Calls for Immediate Withdrawal of All Foreign Forces, Fighters
Algeria's delegate, also speaking on behalf of Guyana, Sierra Leone and Somalia, stressed that "Libya stands at a crossroads" and that any road map "must be firmly anchored in Libyan ownership and leadership" leading to free, fair and transparent elections.
His group of countries urged UNSMIL to implement the recommendations of the strategic review, ensure adequate resources and condemned "the unprecedented flow of weapons into Libya", warning that Council inaction "gravely undermines its credibility". He also called for "the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces, fighters and mercenaries" and decried "the continued erosion of Libya's frozen assets", urging swift action to protect them.
The United Kingdom emphasized that the renewed UNSMIL mandate "plays an important role in supporting the Libyan people to achieve the peace, stability, and democratic governance they deserve". He reaffirmed support for "a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political road map" announced by the Special Representative in August 2025, with its "three core pillars" providing a framework for progress.
London encouraged UNSMIL to implement the strategic review's recommendations to strengthen its effectiveness and stressed the need to uphold "international humanitarian and human rights law principles" essential for lasting peace and the integrity of the political process. Noting that "the ongoing political deadlock threatens Libya's stability" and denies citizens "the democratic choice, economic opportunity and security they deserve", he urged all parties to engage seriously and constructively with the UN road map towards free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections.
International Community Must Support Reunification of Libya's Institutions
France said the resolution "usefully draws on the conclusions of the strategic review" and "refocuses UNSMIL's mandate on reviving the political process". He urged the international community to support the reunification of Libya's institutions and the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections. He concluded by saying that "a solution is emerging to restore Libya's stability, unity and sovereignty", which now "requires the full support of the international community".
The United States also affirmed its support for adopting the resolution but voiced "continued frustration with efforts to push distracting and divisive language, including on gender and sustainable development". While expecting the UN to "follow the strategic review recommendations" and focus on "a streamlined core political mission", he stated that his country "rejects and denounces the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals", arguing that their inclusion "diverts focus from the political process".
He further emphasized United States President Donald J. Trump's position that policies should "recognize women are biologically female and men are biologically male", asserting that "the language in this resolution on gender does nothing to advance Libya's security or prosperity". He concluded by criticizing the UN for becoming "a forum for the propagation of divisive ideologies" and called for a return to "the purposes and principles of the UN Charter" with renewed focus on peace.
Inclusive Political Process, Unity Key to Libya's Peace
China's delegate, welcoming the adoption, said UNSMIL still plays a critical role in Libya. While advancing the country's political road map is both important and daunting, he called on the Special Representative to work with all parties, build consensus and support the development of State institutions. He expressed his hope that UNSMIL will streamline its functions and focus resources on improving operational efficiency. Without an inclusive political process and national unity, there can be no sustainable peace or development in Libya, he stressed, calling on all external countries to refrain from any interference in the country's affairs.
The representative of Greece said the resolution sends a strong, united message from the Council to the people of Libya in support of their independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as in favour of a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process. All actors should engage constructively and refrain from actions that could derail that fragile process, she stressed, noting that Libya's stability is also critical to controlling illegal migration flows — an issue that remains a top priority for European Union countries such as Greece.
The representative of the Russian Federation, Council President for October, spoke in his national capacity, reaffirming Moscow's support for UNSMIL and for the Special Representative. He welcomed the resolution, noting that it reflects the Mission's recent strategic review and underlines the importance of mobilizing support for Libya though external means, such as the Berlin Process. "It is evident that that transitional process for Libya has gone on for far too long and the longer the current uncertainty exists, the more complex the web of problems facing the country," he said.
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