Libyan Presidential Council head, eastern authorities welcome UN mission mandate extension

Libyan Presidential Council head Mohamed Menfi and authorities in eastern Libya on Saturday welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 2835, which extends the mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for 12 months.

In a statement on his official Facebook page, Menfi praised UNSMIL's role in leading mediation efforts, saying the resolution reaffirmed respect for Libya's sovereignty, national unity and the frameworks governing the political process.

He also welcomed the resolution's emphasis on unifying state institutions and rejecting unilateral measures that could deepen divisions.

He warned that any understandings not based on national consensus would be unable to ensure a sustainable political settlement.

Meanwhile, authorities in eastern Libya also welcomed the UN resolution, stressing the need to establish a unified executive authority, end institutional divisions, and unify sovereign and oversight institutions, paving the way for free and fair elections based on national consensus and a sound constitutional and legal framework.

Thirteen of the council's 15 members voted in favor, while Russia and Greece abstained. The vote came shortly before the previous mandate expired on Saturday.

Libya has been plagued by political divisions and instability since 2011, with rival administrations governing different parts of the country.

The internationally recognized Government of National Unity is based in the capital Tripoli and administers western Libya, while a parallel government appointed by the House of Representatives is based in Benghazi and administers eastern and southern Libya. The latter is backed by forces led by Khalifa Haftar.