On Tuesday, the UN's special envoy for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, announced that he was stepping down as the world body cannot successfully support the country's political transition when its leaders put their own interests above finding a solution.
The UN chief's office said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres accepted Bathily's resignation.
The Senegalese diplomat told reporters after a Security Council meeting, "I tendered my resignation to the Secretary-General," painting a sad picture of the situation in the North African country after more than ten years of turmoil and civil war.
Bathily said that although the UN support mission in Libya (UNSMIL) made many efforts under his leadership over the last 18 months, the situation had only worsened. He also denounced Libyan authorities' lack of political will and good faith.
He called the situation "sad" as "most Libyans want to get out of this mess."
Furthermore, he claimed that the UN cannot operate successfully under the circumstances and that there is no room for a solution in the future.
According to Bathily, the national reconciliation conference, which is scheduled for April 28, has been postponed. A new date has not been set.
Libya is still attempting to recover from years of conflict and instability following the ouster of long-serving dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.
Although the oil-rich nation has been relatively peaceful over the last four years, clashes periodically occur between armed groups.
The country is divided between an opposing government in the east and a UN-recognized government in Tripoli.
Bathily said that the selfish resolve of current leaders to maintain the status quo through delaying tactics and maneuvers at the expense of the Libyan people must stop.
He was appointed to the post in September 2022 after Jan Kubis abruptly resigned in November of the previous year.
