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UN warns of arms and parallel oil flows in Libya

Apr 19, 2026

UN warns of arms and parallel oil flows in Libya

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned Libyan actors against continued violations of the arms embargo and the persistence of parallel oil networks, which are seen as destabilising, according to a report submitted to the Security Council.

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Guterres urged Libyan stakeholders to refrain from unilateral actions that could further escalate tensions, the report said.

The document highlights the country’s fragile political, economic and institutional stability, as UN-led mediation efforts continue in a context marked by persistent divisions, APA reported.

Building on this warning, the Secretary-General called on member states to fully support the UN mission, particularly the mediation led by Special Envoy Hanna Tetteh and the proposed political roadmap.

He stressed the need for coordinated progress on both political and security tracks, noting that the lack of simultaneous advances continues to fuel institutional deadlock and tensions on the ground.

The report also expresses particular concern over repeated violations of the arms embargo. Guterres noted that its effectiveness remains limited, allowing the continued flow of military equipment and strengthening non-state armed actors. Such dynamics, he warned, keep Libya in a state of instability with potential repercussions for regional and international security.

At the same time, the report highlights irregularities in the oil sector, where export and import operations are being conducted outside official channels. Guterres cautioned that such practices undermine public institutions and threaten the country’s economic balance.

He reiterated that hydrocarbon revenues must remain under the exclusive control of the National Oil Corporation, pending the establishment of a unified financial framework ensuring transparency and traceability.

Finally, the UN warned of the potential use of natural resource revenues to finance armed groups, a development considered particularly concerning for the country’s stability.

In this context, the Secretary-General called for a comprehensive audit of the assets of the Libyan Investment Authority to better assess their value and improve governance mechanisms—an essential step toward sustainable normalization.


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