UN Warns it Will Impose Sanctions on Those Obstructing Libyan Elections

The UN Security Council session held on Libya on November 24, 2021. (UNSMIL)
The UN Security Council session held on Libya on November 24, 2021. (UNSMIL)
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UN Warns it Will Impose Sanctions on Those Obstructing Libyan Elections

The UN Security Council session held on Libya on November 24, 2021. (UNSMIL)
The UN Security Council session held on Libya on November 24, 2021. (UNSMIL)

The Security Council on Wednesday warned that it would issue sanctions against those who obstruct Libya’s presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 24, renewing calls for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from the country without delay.

The 15-nation council issued a presidential statement following the briefing of Jan Kubis, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), who has recently tendered his resignation.

“The Security Council recalls that individuals or entities who threaten the peace, stability or security of Libya or obstruct or undermine the successful completion of its political transition, including by obstructing or undermining the elections, may be designated for its sanctions,” it said.

The Council also welcomed the Libya Stabilization Conference that convened on October 21 in Tripoli and expressed its support the elections as set out in the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) roadmap agreed in Tunis in November 2020 and Resolution 2570.

It voiced strong support for the important role played by the High National Elections Commission (HNEC).

“The Security Council stresses the importance of a peaceful transfer of power in Libya following the elections,” the presidential statement said.

The UN body recalled that free, fair and credible elections will allow the Libyan people to elect representative and unified institutions from among all Libyan political actors.

It also emphasized the importance of the implementation of the October 23, 2020 ceasefire agreement including through the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya without delay.

In its presidential statement, the Security Council also welcomed the Action Plan agreed by the 5+5 Joint Military Commission in Geneva on October 8 and called on all relevant actors to facilitate its synchronized, phased, gradual and balanced implementation.

It underscored the importance of arrangements to “ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and the inclusion of youth.”



UN Aid Chief Demands Evidence After Israel Accuses Staff of Links to Hamas

 Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher speaks to delegates about the situation in Gaza during a United Nations Security Council meeting at UN headquarters, in New York City, US, July 16, 2025. (Reuters)
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher speaks to delegates about the situation in Gaza during a United Nations Security Council meeting at UN headquarters, in New York City, US, July 16, 2025. (Reuters)
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UN Aid Chief Demands Evidence After Israel Accuses Staff of Links to Hamas

 Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher speaks to delegates about the situation in Gaza during a United Nations Security Council meeting at UN headquarters, in New York City, US, July 16, 2025. (Reuters)
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher speaks to delegates about the situation in Gaza during a United Nations Security Council meeting at UN headquarters, in New York City, US, July 16, 2025. (Reuters)

United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher has demanded that Israel provide evidence for its accusations that staff with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs were affiliated with Palestinian fighters from Hamas, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Friday.

At a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon declared that Fletcher and OCHA were no longer neutral and that hundreds of OCHA employees would undergo security vetting. Israel would also restrict OCHA visas to one month, he said.

"Israel has uncovered clear evidence of Hamas affiliation within OCHA’s ranks," Danon told the 15-member council without providing evidence.

In a letter to the Security Council on Thursday, Fletcher said Danon's remarks were the first time any such concern had been raised and that the accusations were "extremely serious and have security implications for our staff."

"I expect the Israeli authorities to immediately share any evidence that led them to make such claims to the council," Fletcher said.

He noted that around the world OCHA engages with all parties to armed conflict to secure humanitarian access, press for the protection of civilians and promote respect for humanitarian principles, adding: "As Israeli authorities know, our contacts with Hamas have also supported hostage releases."

Israel is committed to helping civilians and getting aid to those in need, Danon said, though he warned: "We will not work with organizations that have chosen politics over principles."

The war in Gaza was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and took some 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's military campaign has killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and reduced much of the enclave to ruins.

"We must hold all parties to the standards of international law in this conflict," Fletcher wrote in his letter. "We do not choose between demanding the end to the starvation of civilians in Gaza and demanding the unconditional release of all the hostages."

Israel, which controls all supplies entering Gaza, denies it is responsible for shortages of food.