G7 leaders voice worries over fragility of Libya’s governance

The G7 Foreign Ministers, along with the EU High Representative, reaffirmed their commitment to Libya’s stability, sovereignty, and unity during a meeting in New York on September 25. They expressed concerns over recent leadership transitions within the High Council of State (HCS) and the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), emphasizing the fragility of Libya’s governance.

The ministers urged Libyan parties to engage in political negotiations to restore the CBL’s institutional integrity and warned against unilateral actions that could worsen instability and invite foreign interference. They also praised progress in preparing for municipal elections, stressing the need for a transparent and inclusive process.

The G7 highlighted the urgency of resuming a Libyan-led, UN-backed political process toward free and fair national elections. They supported UNSMIL officer-in-charge Stephanie Koury’s stabilization efforts and called for a swift appointment of a new Special Representative.

The same day, it was announced that representatives from the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR) and HCS had reached a compromise on appointing new leadership for the CBL, following UN-facilitated consultations. The agreement outlines procedures, criteria, and timelines for selecting a Governor, Deputy Governor, and Board of Directors, with a formal signing ceremony scheduled for this Thursday, September 26.