Libya's Presidential Council Chairman: Our country needs a will to end the crisis, not manage it
New York, 23 Sep (KUNA) -- Libyan Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed al-Menfi said on Wednesday that his country no longer needs further crisis management, but rather the "will to end it," emphasizing that the goal is to establish a unified, sovereign state whose institutions derive their legitimacy from the will of the people.
He made these remarks during his address at the high-level general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, stressing that Libya has paid a "heavy price" as regional and international balances of power have shifted into internal dynamics within its territory.
Al-Menfi added that Libya does not seek to "replace one influence with another, one axis with another, or one dependency with another," but rather aims to build strong relations with its Arab neighborhood, restore its natural role in the African continent, and establish balanced strategic partnerships based on shared interests, mutual respect, non-interference, and respect for national sovereignty.
He clarified that sovereignty means safeguarding the rights and dignity of the Libyan people from violations, ensuring that no one escapes accountability, and ensuring that state institutions are stronger than individuals or groups.
Al-Menfi welcomed efforts aimed at ending the political and institutional division in Libya, expressing appreciation for the role and responsibility of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in facilitating the political process.
He also emphasized the necessity of grounding any sustainable political path in respect for legitimacy, constitutional and legal references, the principle of national ownership, ensuring equal opportunities for all parties, rejecting the use of force or influence, and committing to transparency in understandings and agreements.
Al-Menfi announced the launch of work on a National Committee for De-escalation and Confidence Building, aimed at preempting conflicts, containing and preventing escalation, supporting reconciliation, and creating a safe environment for the political and electoral processes.
He noted that Libya has nominated itself for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the period 2028–2029, representing the African group, under the slogan "Enshrining Justice for Security and Peace... Libya, a Bridge Between Nations."
He cautioned that this candidacy "is not merely a diplomatic aspiration, but embodies a national will to restore Libya’s natural role in its international environment."
Concluding his address, the Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council affirmed that Libya does not want to be a arena where others’ interests are balanced on its soil, but rather a state that creates its own balance through its own will. He added that others should not compete for influence within Libya, but rather for partnership with it. (End)
