A3 JOINT-STATEMENT AT THE UNSC BRIEFING ON LIBYA

  Delivered by

H.E. Ambassador Lewis G. Brown II, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations

18th February 2026

Thank you, Mr. President,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3, namely the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and my own country, Liberia.

2. We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Hanna Tetteh, for her insightful briefing, and we have listened carefully to the civil society representative’s remarks. 

3. We welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Libya in this meeting.

Mr. President, 

4. At the outset, the A3 wishes to convey its unwavering support for Libya’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and political independence. 

5. We convene today to consider the findings of the Strategic Review of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). 

6. While the Mission remains a critical stabilizing presence, it has been constrained by national fragmentation and shifting geopolitical dynamics. 

7. We note the Secretary-General’s assessment that the current status quo of fragile stability is not sustainable, and we believe the lack of renewed political momentum risks the de facto division of the State.

8. On the political front, we recognize the complexities involved and notes that some agreed timelines related to the electoral track have not yet been met and may be further affected by recent development. 

9. In that context, the A3 condemns the February 3^rd assassination of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi at his residence. 

10. This blatant act of violence risks further undermining efforts toward a credible and inclusive political transition in Libya. 

11. We extend our condolences to his family and all those affected. Such incidents underscore the urgent need for all parties to redouble their efforts to de-escalate and engage in dialogue. 

12. We call upon the Libyan authorities to uphold the rule of law and to ensure that the circumstances surrounding this killing are thoroughly investigated, and that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law.

13. Despite these challenges, we commend the determination of many within the relevant Libyan institutions who are striving to advance progress. 

14. We are further encouraged by the recent peaceful conduct of local elections in 56 municipalities, which stands as a rare example of democratic practice. 

15. We reaffirm our support for the SRSG’s roadmap aimed at restoring a realistic pathway to unity through national elections and structured dialogue. 

16. The A3 supports the SRSG’s efforts to encourage all parties to remain engaged in a spirit of compromise and responsibility, keeping the hopes and aspirations of the Libyan people at the forefront.

    
    

Mr. President, 

17. Regarding the security track, we recognize that progress on the reunification of security institutions remains elusive in the absence of a strategy agreed upon by Libyan actors. 

18. We emphasize that stabilizing the security environment is a critical precondition for the political process, and we urge a transition to a politically sensitive approach that facilitates direct dialogue among all actors to unify the country’s security institutions. 

19. We reiterate our demand for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces, foreign fighters, and mercenaries. 

20. We also support the recommendation that UNSMIL rebalance its geographic presence, particularly by expanding its presence in Benghazi and the Fezzan region, to ensure the Mission is representative of all Libyans.

21. On the economic front, the A3 emphasizes that the integrity and independence of Libya’s core economic institutions—specifically the Central Bank, the National Oil Corporation, and the Audit Bureau—must be preserved. 

22. We note the challenges facing macroeconomic stability, including the significant foreign exchange deficit. 

23. We also note the conclusion of the second in-person formal session of the economic track within the structured dialogue, which reflects the strong desire of many Libyans to contribute meaningfully to their country's future and to balance state-building efforts with economic reform. 

24. Furthermore, the A3 expresses once again its concern over the ongoing erosion of Libya’s frozen assets due to mismanagement by certain financial institutions. 

25. We demand full accountability and reparation in this regard. 

26. The A3 reiterates that the assets are frozen for the purpose of preserving their value and benefiting the Libyan people and not the institutions holding the funds. 

27. The A3 will continue to work towards ensuring that the views of the Libyans are taken into account in the issuance of the implementation assistance notice in order to enable the Libyan Investment Authority to reinvest its frozen cash reserves as mandated by paragraph 14 of Resolution 2769 (2025).

To conclude, Mr. President, 

28. The road ahead is not easy, but with continued engagement, cooperation, and a shared commitment to peace, we believe that a stable and inclusive future for Libya is achievable. 

29. The time has come for this Council to move beyond tactical crisis management and align behind a cohesive strategy that restores national legitimacy. 

30. We must empower UNSMIL to shift from a reactive posture to one that facilitates a definitive, Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political settlement.

I thank you.