New UN Roadmap Aims to End Libya’s Prolonged Transition

The United Nations is preparing to announce a new roadmap aimed at breaking Libya’s protracted political deadlock.

According to UN sources, Hannah Tetteh, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya, will present the plan on Thursday, August 21, after weeks of consultations with key Libyan stakeholders and international partners.

The roadmap is designed to foster consensus among Libyans, address political divisions and push forward long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections. It also seeks to reform political blocs, unify military institutions, and revive security processes, UN sources said.

Libyan political and social circles are closely watching the upcoming announcement, with expectations that the roadmap will outline a clear path toward national elections. The UN mission (UNSMIL) stressed that its ultimate goal is to ensure elections take place as soon as possible.

On Saturday, UNSMIL praised Libya’s successful municipal elections in 26 local councils, which saw a 71% voter turnout and were described as orderly and peaceful.

Public Input Shapes the Roadmap

The new roadmap reflects the UN’s pledge to incorporate Libyan voices into the political process. It is based on two main channels of consultation:

• A nationwide survey that gathered input from over 22,500 respondents. The most popular option, supported by 42%, called for simultaneous presidential and legislative elections at the earliest opportunity. An overwhelming majority (96%) emphasized the need to strengthen election security before any vote.

• Recommendations from a 20-member Advisory Committee of Libyan experts in law, constitutional affairs and politics, formed in February 2025. Their final report, delivered to UNSMIL in May, provided four main options and technical solutions to overcome electoral deadlocks.

Tetteh said that both public opinion and expert advice were taken into account in drafting the plan.

By grounding the roadmap in Libyan ownership, the UN hopes to limit resistance from powerful actors who might otherwise dismiss the process as externally imposed.

Learning from Past Failures

The roadmap builds on lessons from earlier initiatives. The 2015 Skhirat Agreement sought to establish the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) but collapsed due to the House of Representatives’ refusal to endorse it, fueling further fragmentation. Similarly, the 2020 Berlin Conferences produced a ceasefire and the 5+5 Joint Military Commission but failed to enforce the arms embargo or secure the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries.

Tetteh’s plan explicitly aims to end what the UN calls Libya’s “prolonged transitional period” by establishing a unified executive authority and setting conditions for credible elections.

Challenges Ahead

Despite international backing, the roadmap faces major obstacles. Libya remains divided between two rival governments — the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) and the eastern-based Government of National Stability (GNS) — as well as competing legislatures, the House of Representatives (HoR) and the High State Council (HSC). Control over oil revenues and the Central Bank continues to fuel disputes.

Powerful figures such as Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar pose additional challenges. Haftar recently appointed his sons Saddam and Khalid to senior military positions, moves seen as undermining UN-backed security reforms. Meanwhile, the HoR under Speaker Aguila Saleh has repeatedly stalled agreement on an electoral framework, further delaying the process.

The roadmap’s success will depend on whether Libya’s entrenched elites can be persuaded — or pressured — into compromise, particularly over control of state institutions and revenues.

For now, the UN is betting that a combination of public backing, expert input, and international support can pave the way toward long-delayed elections and a unified government.