United Nations Support Mission in Libya

Aims and UN hierarchy

UNSMIL's initial mandate, defined by the UN in 2011, mainly focused on supporting Libyan transitional authorities, including the National Transitional Council of Libya, in "post-conflict efforts" to establish institutions supporting the rule of law.

Under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2009 (UNSCR 2009, in 2011), UNSMIL's mandate was more formally defined in that the United Nations:

Decides to establish a United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), under the leadership of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General for an initial period of three months, and decides further that the mandate of UNSMIL shall be to assist and support Libyan national efforts to:

(a) restore public security and order and promote the rule of law;

(b) undertake inclusive political dialogue, promote national reconciliation, and embark upon the constitution-making and electoral process;

(c) extend state authority, including through strengthening emerging accountable institutions and the restoration of public services;

(d) promote and protect human rights, particularly for those belonging to vulnerable groups, and support transitional justice;

(e) take the immediate steps required to initiate economic recovery; and

(f) coordinate support that may be requested from other multilateral and bilateral actors as appropriate.

In 2016, the mandate was extended to include the provision of mediation in implementing the 2015 Skhirat agreement between the various Libyan transitional institutions that disputed political power. Other elements of UNSMIL's mandate include supporting key Libyan institutions and monitoring and reporting on human rights.

UNSMIL is led by the UN Department of Political Affairs.

UNSMIL's mandate was extended annually and as of 2019 continued to 15 September 2020.

Headquarters

The mission is based in Tunis (Tunisia).

Leadership

Ian Martin: On 11 September 2011, Ian Martin was appointed special representative of the secretary-general and head of the UNSMIL. Martin was a British national. Martin is a graduate of Emmanuel College, Cambridge in history and economics. Prior to his appointment, Martin was secretary general of Amnesty International (1986–92) and vice president of the International Center for Transitional Justice (2002–05). Martin remained in his functions at UNSMIL for one year. From 2015 to 2018, Martin was executive director of the Security Council Report in New York. In 2020, Martin was senior visiting research fellow at the Conflict, Security & Development Research Group at King's College London.

Tarek Mitri: On 12 September 2012, Tarek Mitri was appointed as special representative. Mitri was a Lebanese national. In 2005, Mitri was Lebanese minister for environment and administrative development. In 2005, he was minister of culture and foreign minister. In 2008, Mitri was appointed information minister. Mitri remained in his functions at UNSMIL for two years. After departing UNSMIL, Mitri was appointed director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut on 16 October 2014. In October 2015, Mitri published a book on his time as Special Representative to Libya entitled "Rugged Paths".

Bernardino León: On 14 August 2014, Bernardino León was appointed as special representative to Libya and officially assumed his functions on 1 September 2014. León was a Spanish national. León was a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party. From 2004 to 2008, León was Spanish secretary of state for foreign affairs. From 2008 to 2011, León was secretary general at the office of the prime minister of Spain. León remained in his functions at UNSMIL for 14 months. Following his departure, León was appointed first director general of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy. The circumstances of León's departure were controversial. Leaked emails showed that León had secret and cordial negotiations with the United Arab Emirates government whilst leading sensitive political negotiations with Libyan authorities in his role as a special representative.

Martin Kobler: On 4 November 2015, Martin Kobler was appointed as special representative to Libya. Kobler was a German national. Kobler has an advanced law degree and is fluent in English, French, German and Indonesian. From 2010 to 2011, Kobler was deputy special representative (political) for Afghanistan. From October 2011 to July 2013, Kobler served as United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s special representative for Iraq and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). Kobler was subject to significant criticism for his time as special representative in Iraq. His accusers allege that Kobler sought to appease the Iraqi prime minister in a manner that contributed to significant human rights violations, and caused for many senior UNAMI staff to quit in protest. Kobler remained in his functions at UNSMIL for 20 months.

Actions

UNSMIL recorded 48 deaths and 22 injuries in clashes between Libya's political factions in the month of September 2018.

In July 2019, the head of UNSMIL, Ghassan Salamé, proposed a 3-point plan (ceasefire, international meeting to implement the existing arms embargo, and intra-Libyan dialogue) as a new phase in the Libyan peace process, with the aim of resolving the Second Libyan Civil War.

In October 2020, Stephanie Williams undertook wide consultations with Libyan society, including meetings with Libyan mayors from the West, South and East of Libya, as part of the preparations for the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF).

In 2022, UNSMIL mediated negotiations that took place in Cairo and eventually in Geneva between the High Counci of State and the House of Representatives that had as their purpose to establish a constitutional basis for elections. The negotiations ultimately ended without the two sides reaching agreement.

The United Kingdom reaffirmed in November 2025 its full support for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya.