The UN's envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, announced on Tuesday that he was stepping down.
Mr Bathily said the UN could not successfully support the North African country's political transition because its leaders had put their own interests above a solution.
He was appointed to the role in September 2022 and said he had tendered his resignation to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. It was not immediately clear when he would leave.
The UN support mission in Libya “made a lot of efforts under my leadership over the last 18 months", but the situation has deteriorated, Mr Bathily said, condemning a “lack of political will and good faith” by Libyan leaders.
“As far as I am concerned I have done my best,” the Senegalese diplomat told reporters in New York after briefing the UN Security Council on the situation in Libya.
Mr Bathily painted a sombre picture of Libya, which has been riven by conflict and civil war for more than a decade.
He called the situation sad, as “the bulk of the Libyan population want to get out of this mess".
“Under the circumstances, there is no way the UN can operate successfully,” Mr Bathily said. “There is no room for a solution in the future.”
He said Libyans are increasingly worried for their country's future as it has become a “playground” for other nations and groups.
Russia and its Wagner mercenaries are close to military commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, whose forces control eastern Libya.
Mr Bathily declined to blame specific countries and expressed concerns about parallel initiatives that undermined the UN's role.
“Concerns regarding the weakening of the international consensus on Libya are growing within the general population, as their country has become the playground for fierce rivalry among regional and international actors,” he said.
Libya is still struggling to recover from years of war and chaos after the 2011 overthrow of longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
Although relative calm has returned to the oil-rich country in the past four years, clashes periodically occur between its diverse armed groups.
The country is divided between a government based in Tripoli and a rival administration in Benghazi, in the the country's east.
Mr Bathily said the renewed scramble for Libya, its position and immense resources among internal and external players is making a solution “ever elusive”.
Libyan institutional entities deliberately refuse to hold the elections seriously and are “obstinate” in postponing the vote to a date to be determined.
Mr Bathily said he urged key Libyan factions, including the Presidential Council, House of Representatives, High Council of State, Government of National Unity and the Libyan National Army, to discuss resolving issues blocking elections.
Despite his efforts, he admitted encountering resistance, unrealistic demands and indifference to Libyan interests.
The departing UN envoy said Libya's economic crisis has deepened after a decision by the Central Bank to introduce a 27 per cent tax on foreign exchange transactions, a move that was ratified by the House of Representatives on March 14.
Mr Bathily said the new policy severely limited access to foreign currencies, sparking widespread public discontent and increasing concerns over rising costs of essential goods and services, including health care.
He urged the country's authorities to “treat the disease and not just the symptoms”, of the economic malaise, describing it as a “chronic and harmful” condition.
Tarek Megrisi, a Libya expert and senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said on X that Mr Bathily leaves Libya in a “far worse” condition than when he took his role.
Mr Megrisi said Mr Bathily's resignation could accelerate fragmentation and violence in the country.
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Results
6pm: Dubai Trophy – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Silent Speech, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby
(trainer)
6.35pm: Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m
Winner: Island Falcon, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Dirt)
1,400m
Winner: Rawy, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
7.45pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Desert Fire, Hector Crouch, Saeed bin Suroor
8.20pm: Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Naval Crown, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.55pm: Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Al Tariq, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watsons
9.30pm: Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Dubai Icon, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
Scores in brief:
- New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
- William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
- Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
- Multiplex 142-6 in 17 overs bt Xconcepts Automobili 140 all out in 20 overs
Dunki
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
The%20team
%3Cp%3E%0DFashion%20director%3A%20Sarah%20Maisey%0D%3Cbr%3EPhotographer%3A%20Greg%20Adamski%0D%3Cbr%3EHair%20and%20make-up%3A%20Ania%20Poniatowska%0D%3Cbr%3EModels%3A%20Nyajouk%20and%20Kristine%20at%20MMG%2C%20and%20Mitchell%0D%3Cbr%3EStylist%E2%80%99s%20assistants%3A%20Nihala%20Naval%20and%20Sneha%20Maria%20Siby%0D%3Cbr%3EVideographer%3A%20Nilanjana%20Gupta%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
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- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
