Latest news with #HannaTetteh
Libyan Express
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Libyan Express
UN envoy warns against divisive rhetoric in Libya
BY Libyan Express Jun 20, 2025 - 05:45 UN stresses dialogue to overcome Libya's divisions The United Nations' senior envoy to Libya has issued a grave warning about the damaging impact of hate speech on the country's delicate peace process and national unity. Speaking on the occasion of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, Hanna Tetteh, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Libya, emphasised the urgent need to tackle divisive rhetoric that risks deepening the nation's political and social divisions. 'In a context marked by intense political polarisation and a fragile security situation, hate speech—particularly when based on regional, tribal or ethnic differences—represents a serious barrier to Libya's efforts towards reconciliation and stability,' Tetteh said in a powerful statement. She called on all stakeholders—including government bodies, media professionals, social media platforms and civil society organisations—to unite in promoting inclusive and respectful dialogue that counters incitement and fosters mutual understanding. Tetteh also highlighted the significant role of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, stressing that these tools must be used responsibly to support peacebuilding initiatives and combat the spread of misinformation rather than inflame existing tensions. 'Libya's future hinges on a collective rejection of hate and intolerance,' she affirmed. 'Only through unity, justice and sustained dialogue can the country secure lasting peace for all its people.' The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Libya Observer
a day ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
UN envoy: Hate speech threatens Libya's unity and stability
The UN's top envoy to Libya has warned that hate speech is undermining peace efforts and poses a serious threat to national unity. Hanna Tetteh, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative, issued the warning on Wednesday to mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. 'In the context of political polarization and a fragile security situation, hate speech – especially when based on regional, tribal or ethnic lines – is a real threat to efforts to unify the country and achieve stability,' Tetteh said in a statement. She called for a collective response from state institutions, media professionals, social platforms, and civil society to promote inclusive dialogue and replace incitement with respectful communication. Tetteh also stressed the importance of using modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, to support peace rather than fuel division or misinformation. 'We must stand against hate and work together for a Libya founded on unity, justice, and lasting peace,' she said. Tags: Hanna Tetteh Hate Speech
Libya Observer
4 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
UNSMIL calls on Libyans to share their opinions on crisis resolution proposals via online survey
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has called on Libyans to share their views on the four proposals presented by the Advisory Committee for resolving the crisis, while noting that the committee, which operates under UNSMIL, favors the option of forming a new unified government. In recent days, the UN Mission has held a series of meetings across several areas, including Jabal Nafusa, Benghazi, Misrata, Zintan, and other regions. During these meetings, it discussed the committee's proposals with civil society organizations, political parties, mayors, activists, elders, and local dignitaries. These proposals offer four pathways to resolving the crisis and reaching elections. The committee's proposals — one of which is to be chosen — include: Holding simultaneous presidential and legislative elections with amendments to disputed issues in the current electoral laws,' or 'Holding legislative elections first, followed by adopting a permanent constitution, then holding presidential elections,'or 'Adopting a permanent constitution before general elections,' or 'Establishing a political dialogue committee to temporarily replace all existing institutions, complete the electoral laws, and select an interim government,' while noting that the committee preferred the option of forming a new government with limited powers. The UN Mission aims to draft a roadmap that leads to elections based on one of these options, and has previously indicated that it may make adjustments based on the feedback it receives from citizens. The Mission considers its efforts in this context to be pivotal in determining the will of the Libyan people. The UN Envoy, Hanna Tetteh, stated that 'the public survey and consultations conducted by the Mission are essential to enable the Mission to present to the Security Council factual data reflecting the will of the Libyan people — not just the Mission's own analysis from meetings.' During her visit to Nafusa Mountain, she added: 'I want to be able to reflect your views as much as possible so that I can convey the voice of the Libyan people to the international community in support of a political process aligned with what the people want.' The Security Council is scheduled to hold a special session on Libya on June 24, during which the UN Envoy is expected to brief the Council on her tour across the country, the citizens' responses to the proposals, as well as the overall security situation. While UNSMIL has not yet specified the positions of the key parties to the crisis regarding the proposals, it reaffirms that it will continue its meetings and public consultations over the coming weeks.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) launches country-wide youth consultations on the political process and starts by meeting youth in four cities
Youth represent 38 per cent of the population (NESDB statistics) in Libya and their voices must be included in the political process. To support this, in addition to its regular meetings with youth (aged 18-35), the United Nations Support Mission in Libya is launching a wider programme with the aim to engage 500 young men and women across Libya in the coming months. As part of its broader efforts to engage the community on the Advisory Committee's recommendations on how to take Libya to elections and unify institutions, UNSMIL is conducting dedicated meetings with youth representatives, both online and in-person. More information about how young men and women can get involved can be found here. In addition, UNSMIL has also launched an online poll to ensure that a wider audience can be reached. 'As we develop the next steps of the political process, we want to hear everyone's views,' said Special Representative of the Secretary General for Libya, Hanna Tetteh. 'Youth are a driving force that can help shape the future of this country. They have specific needs and concerns, and they bring different perspectives that can inform decision-making. We want to hear directly from them because a process that is meant for the Libyan people needs the meaningful participation of all Libyan people.' UNSMIL has already met with youth in Zintan, Misrata, Benghazi and Nalut to discuss the Advisory Committee recommendations. Participants called for better access to economic and employment opportunities, unified government institutions, more representation and inclusion in decision-making processes, access to services, fair and equitable resource distribution. They also shared their ideas around decentralisation and political inclusion. Through these consultations and online polling, the Mission will capture youth recommendations and ideas and ensure they are fed into the decision-making process on next steps. UNSMIL published the Executive Summary of the Advisory Committee's Report in May, including its four proposed options to move the political process forward. The public consultation and survey ask people to put forward their recommendations and ideas and decided which of these options they would prefer: Conducting presidential and legislative elections simultaneously; Conducting parliamentary elections first, followed by the adoption of a permanent constitution; Adopting a permanent constitution before elections; or Establishing a political dialogue committee, based on the Libyan Political Agreement to finalize electoral laws, executive authority and permanent constitution. More information on the youth consultations and how to get involved can be found here. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Libya Observer
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Dbeibah: Interior Ministry ready to secure Tripoli, armed groups to withdraw
Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah has announced that the Interior Ministry is prepared to assume full control over security in the capital, Tripoli, as part of a new plan to remove armed factions from key areas. Speaking after a meeting with UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh, Dbeibah said the move is part of a broader effort led by the Presidential Council to restore state authority and reduce the influence of militias operating outside government control. The plan calls for the immediate and complete withdrawal of armed groups from the capital to designated military camps. Dbeibah described it as a 'national project' aimed at empowering official security forces to maintain order. The Prime Minister praised ongoing coordination with the Presidential Council and reiterated his government's commitment to implementing the security roadmap. The meeting also addressed Libya's participation in an upcoming Berlin meeting of the International Follow-Up Committee, with Dbeibah reaffirming support for UN efforts to guide the country toward national elections and the end of the transitional period. Tags: Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah Hanna Tetteh Ceasefire
