Mohamed Younis Menfi, President of the Presidential Council of Libya, said that Palestinians continue to endure a decades-long ordeal of occupation, repression and attempts to alter their identity.
The repercussions have extended to the Arab Gulf, most recently affecting Saudi Arabia, he noted, reaffirming full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its security, territorial integrity, citizens and holy sites.
Recalling the situation in Sudan, he stated: “The instability in the Sahel region represents an existential threat to the security of its States.”
He also views the Mediterranean basin not as a barrier between Africa and Europe, but as a shared space for connection. “Relations among its countries should move from beyond merely managing migration and crises towards making the Mediterranean a bridge for development, trade, energy transition, investment and common security.”
“We want States to compete in Libya on investment, reconstruction, energy, technology and development — not for influence within its institutions,” he stressed.
After years of political division and disputes that have exhausted the State and society, Libya no longer needs more management of the crisis — it needs the will to end it.
“Our goal is clear: A unified, sovereign state whose institutions derive their legitimacy from the will of its people.”
He welcomed the efforts and intentions of every State genuinely seeking to end the political and institutional division and appreciated the role entrusted to the United Nations Support Mission in Libya and its responsibility to facilitate the political process.
“We announce from this podium the launch of work on a National Committee for De-escalation and Confidence-Building,” he said. The committee will draw on national and local initiatives and will seek to anticipate conflicts, contain escalation, prevent its recurrence, support reconciliation and create a safe environment for the political and electoral process.
He also announced Libya’s candidacy for a seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028–2029 term, representing the African seat, under the slogan: “Consolidating Justice for Security and Peace — Libya, a Bridge Among Nations.”
