The United Nations Support Mission in Libya has intensified its political and security movements in recent days, in an effort to advance the path of consensus between the Libyan parties, and to create conditions for holding national elections, in conjunction with discussing issues of security, development, and irregular migration.
In the latest of these movements, Salem Al-Zadma, Vice President of the Interim “National Unity” Government, discussed with the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Libya, Stephanie Khoury, the latest developments in the political situation and the efforts of the UN mission, in addition to the political initiatives and paths proposed, and the results of the “4 + 4” plan meetings, and the recommendations and outcomes that resulted from them.
During the meeting, according to a statement issued by his office, Al-Zadma stressed the importance of the presence of the various Libyan regions in political frameworks and paths, stressing “the necessity of actively involving Fezzan in any unified political path, and ensuring that it obtains its rights to political representation, in a way that reflects its status and role in the national scene.”
The meeting also discussed a number of files related to the southern region, including supporting development efforts and improving the level of services, which contributes to enhancing and responding to the aspirations of citizens in Fezzan and various regions of the south.
The two sides stressed the importance of continuing dialogue, coordination, and supporting efforts aimed at achieving stability and peace in Libya, and reaching consensual political solutions that take into account the interests of the various Libyan regions and components.
The members of the “4 + 4” committee signed the final agreement under international auspices at the end of last month, in a step aimed at advancing the electoral process. While Washington was working on an “American initiative,” it says it aims to end the political, military, and security division in Libya.
However, Massad Boulos, US President Donald Trump’s senior advisor for Arab and African affairs, said: “The American and UN initiatives are complementary to each other.” He added during his participation in the Arab Media Summit in Dubai on Tuesday: “We encouraged and coordinated the recent agreement under the supervision of the United Nations,” referring to what resulted from the “4 + 4.” He explained that the American initiative in Libya will mainly focus on “how to manage the two-year period that will lead to the elections.” In this regard, he said: “We are working with the Turks, Egypt, the Emirates, Qatar and others to make the unification of military, security and economic institutions a success. “Libya is one of the richest Arab and African countries, and its people deserve to live in luxury.”
The agreement stipulates amendments to the electoral framework, including holding presidential and parliamentary elections under a unified executive authority, and the parties’ commitment to work to hold elections within a period not exceeding 24 months. It also stipulates that the agreement be presented to the House of Representatives and the Supreme Council of State for approval within a month, and that a follow-up mechanism be established to support the implementation of its provisions.
The leaks indicate a proposal for Saddam Haftar, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the “National Army,” to assume the presidency of the Presidential Council, succeeding Mohamed Al-Manfi, in exchange for the continuation of the head of the “unity” government, Abdul Hamid Al-Dabaiba, at the head of a unified government.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, Hannah Tetteh, met with the Bangladesh Ambassador to Libya, Mohamed Habibullah, on Monday evening, where they discussed political developments, including the road map facilitated by the mission, as well as issues of irregular migration. The ambassador praised the efforts that led to the signing of the mini-meeting agreement, expressing his country's support for the United Nations efforts aimed at enhancing political stability in Libya.
Tetteh also discussed with India's Ambassador to Libya, Hafeezur Rahman, the political, security and economic developments in the country, including the political process, facilitated by the United Nations, and the agreement reached at the mini-meeting.
On the security track, Tetteh, accompanied by her deputy, Stephanie Khoury, met on Monday evening with members of the Security Arrangements Committee in the Western Region, headed by Lieutenant General Mustafa Yahya, Chairman of the Committee and member of the Joint Military Committee “5 + 5”. The meeting reviewed the progress made in implementing security arrangements in the West Coast region, and the efforts aimed at enhancing coordination between the various security agencies, and supporting the implementation of agreed-upon measures to enhance stability.
In a related context, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Libya, Ulrika Richardson, discussed with the Ambassador of the League of Arab States to Libya, Sheikh Al-Mukhtar Muhammad Mahmoud, opportunities to enhance cooperation to support the country’s development priorities.
According to the UN mission on Tuesday, the meeting focused on economic governance, strengthening national institutions, and advancing comprehensive economic development, in addition to examining the experiences of neighboring Arab countries in confronting the illicit economy and human trafficking and smuggling networks, in a way that supports Libya’s territorial integrity and sustainable development.
The two sides also discussed the migration challenges facing Libya, and the United Nations’ efforts to support the national authorities to confront them, in light of the recent incidents that targeted United Nations headquarters.
Richardson reiterated that the United Nations has not participated at any time, and does not currently participate, in the resettlement of migrants or foreigners in Libya, stressing the organization’s commitment to continuing to work with regional and international partners, including the League of Arab States. In support of peace, stability and effective governance in the country.
These moves reflect the multiple paths that the UN mission in Libya is working on, between advancing the political process, strengthening security arrangements, and supporting development and governance, in parallel with continuing consultations with local, regional and international parties. With the aim of building consensus, paving the way for holding national elections and achieving sustainable stability.
Egypt affirmed its categorical rejection of any efforts that would consider joining the Additional Protocol a precondition for cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and at the same time stressed its commitment to the highest standards of security and safety in its nuclear program.
This came during the delivery by the Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mohamed Esmat, of Egypt’s statement before the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in its seventieth session, which was held during the period from 14 to 18 September in the Austrian capital, Vienna, according to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity on Tuesday.
Esmat explained during his speech that the peaceful uses of atomic energy are an inherent right of all countries under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and that his country continues research and development activities in the areas of peaceful uses of energy and nuclear applications in accordance with “Egypt’s Vision 2030.”
Egypt did not join the Additional Protocol, which grants the International Atomic Energy Agency expanded rights to obtain information and access sites in countries.
Starting from March 2023, “the Additional Protocols became effective with 141 countries, and 13 other countries have signed an Additional Protocol, but have not yet brought it into force,” according to the official website of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Egyptian Minister of Electricity reviewed the cooperation efforts between his country and the International Agency regarding the safety standards of the Egyptian nuclear project, and pointed to Egypt’s participation in the review conference of the Nuclear Safety Agreement in April 2026 following the submission of its detailed national report, in addition to its hosting last July of the Agency’s Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission.
He explained that the international review team concluded that Egypt has a comprehensive and well-established regulatory system for nuclear and radiation safety, covering all nuclear and radiological facilities and activities, noting that it has become a regional center for supporting nuclear security, and plays a tangible and effective role in awareness-raising and training activities at the level of the Middle East and the African continent.
The Minister affirmed his country's commitment, in practicing all its peaceful nuclear activities, to full transparency within the framework of its legal obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.
At the same time, he stressed “the voluntary nature of the Additional Protocol,” and said that Egypt “categorically rejects any efforts that would impose adherence to this voluntary protocol as a precondition for cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy, or linking it with legal obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
Inspection and sovereignty
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, former Deputy Chairman of the Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority, Ali Abdel Nabi, said that Egypt is one of the countries that participated in drafting the “Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty” and has signed it since the 1960s, but it has not signed the “Additional Protocol” that allows the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect military sites, something that countries that refuse to sign consider “an infringement on sovereignty.”
He added: “The Additional Protocol has a voluntary status for those who want to join it, and the current Egyptian position is to confirm the rejection of any attempts to link its signing with cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding peaceful nuclear activities, and that the basis is to sign and adhere to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
He pointed out that the Egyptian position also focused on the right of all countries to enrich uranium for peaceful uses, in accordance with what was stated in the “Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,” noting that there is continuous coordination with the International Agency regarding the “Dabaa” nuclear station and its security requirements, especially in light of the regularity of the steps to establish the project at a time when the parties responsible for building the station adhere to the specified timetable.
Dabaa station
In his speech, the Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy reviewed the latest developments witnessed by the Egyptian peaceful nuclear project to generate electricity through the “Dabaa Plant,” noting that the project witnessed qualitative progress in November 2025, represented by the installation of the reactor pressure vessel for the first unit, with the participation of Egyptian Presidents Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Russian President Vladimir Putin via “video conference” technology, in addition to the signing of the order to purchase nuclear fuel.
He added that during 2026, the manufacture of major nuclear equipment for the first unit was completed, including turbines, pressure stabilizers and steam generators. On July 9, the reactor pressure vessel for the second unit was installed in the presence of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
He explained that work is continuing in the four units in parallel with progress in obtaining the means for pre-operation tests for the first unit and the possession of nuclear materials in preparation for receiving the first shipment of nuclear fuel.
Esmat stressed the centrality of the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency as the only body concerned with nuclear verification and following up on the implementation of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, calling on member states, the Director-General and the IAEA secretariat to intensify efforts to achieve the universality of the agreement.
He revealed that Egypt will present again during the current year a draft resolution to implement the Agency’s guarantees in the Middle East, as an essential step to establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region.
He said that this step has become more urgent in light of the dangerous developments taking place in the region, calling on peace-loving countries to support the decision.
Indicators of Sudan's approach to the outbreak of an unprecedented and most dangerous humanitarian crisis have increased, after two United Nations organizations issued two simultaneous warnings that the severe funding shortage would lead to a reduction in food aid and the collapse of a major system for delivering relief materials within weeks, at a time when about 20 million people are suffering from acute hunger.
The International Organization for Migration warned on Monday that the system it runs to deliver humanitarian aid to Sudan, used by more than 100 local and international non-governmental organizations, could collapse “within weeks” if new funding is not available.
“The entire humanitarian system could collapse within weeks if we do not act now,” the organization’s Director-General, Amy Pope, said in a statement issued in Geneva. “Without new funding, we will not be able to deliver aid to where it is most needed.”
In a simultaneous warning, the acting Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Karl Skau, said that the program may have to significantly reduce its operations in Sudan in the coming weeks. Due to a lack of funding, even though the country is facing what he described as “the largest hunger and displacement crisis in the world.”
Sakao made his statements to the press from Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman, following an 8-day visit to Sudan, which included Khartoum, Al-Obeid, Al-Fasher and Tawila, during which he examined the conditions of displaced persons, hunger, and the difficulties of reaching aid to conflict areas.
He said that about 20 million people suffer from acute hunger, while the number of displaced people is 14 million, and about 5 million people face the “emergency” level of food insecurity, according to the fourth stage of the Integrated Interim Classification of Food Security, while there are about 200,000 in the fifth stage, which is the most dangerous level.
The World Food Program reaches between 4 and 5 million people per month, including between 2 and 2.5 million in hard-to-reach areas, but Skau said that funding has become the main obstacle to continuing these operations.
“Our operations are severely underfunded, and there is a risk that we will have to significantly reduce them over the next few weeks unless more funding becomes available,” Skau added.
The World Food Program's warning intersects with a similar crisis facing the International Organization for Migration, which runs the Joint Humanitarian Supply Line, a logistics system that enables more than 100 non-governmental organizations to enter non-food aid, including tents, shelter and sanitation supplies, and emergency household items.
Aid through this system has reached about two million and 840 thousand people since the outbreak of war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, but the decline in funding led to a sharp contraction in the scope of beneficiaries, from more than one million people in 2024 to only 330 thousand during the current year.
The International Organization for Migration warned that, without immediate donor support, stocks of shelter, sanitation materials and emergency relief household items are expected to run out by the end of September, noting that prolonged exposure to extreme weather conditions, disease and insecurity may increase the risk of violence.
Horrible experience
The effects of the lack of funding are already visible in the town of Tawila in North Darfur, where the number of people is approaching one million. Skau said that the World Food Program provides aid to about 950,000 people every month there, but it can only provide half of the food ration.
He said: “We provide them with food that is sufficient for them for two weeks only, and this is done every month,” noting that the region includes large numbers of families headed by women, many of whom have lost their husbands and children, amid a lack of shelter, health care, education, and basic services.
In El Fasher, Skaw described his observations as a “horrific experience.” He said that the city, which used to contain about a million people, only tens of thousands remained, and that he saw houses riddled with bullets, burned cars, and an almost complete absence of markets and economic activity.
The program provides life-saving food assistance to about 20,000 people in the city. This aid is “the only thing the people still there depend on,” Skau said.
As for the Zamzam camp for the displaced, which the UN official passed through on his way from El Fasher to Tawila, he described it as “a completely deserted place,” after the huts and small houses were destroyed and devoid of residents.
In Kordofan, Sakaw said that the fighting is escalating, and that the city of El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, is facing increasing pressure due to the continued influx of displaced people. He pointed out that the city’s population has almost doubled compared to what it was before the war, while the eight displacement camps in it have exceeded their capacity.
Due to the lack of resources, Skaw said that the World Food Program was forced to give priority to newly displaced people, in exchange for stopping aid to some of those who were displaced 3 years ago, despite their inability to return to their areas or find job opportunities.
The risks are not limited to war and lack of funding, as the UN official warned of a drought in Darfur, which he said the region had not witnessed since 1984, amid fears of its impact on agriculture and livestock, and thus increasing pressure on food sources.
Despite the continuing security difficulties and restrictions on crossing the battle lines, Skaw said that the program now has the field capacity to work and deliver food to Darfur via Chad and Cameroon, and if it is to Kordofan from Port Sudan and Khartoum, the lack of funds prevents it from fully taking advantage of this capacity, saying: “We now have the capacity, and we have the presence, but we are not taking full advantage of this space due to lack of funding.”
Simultaneous warnings from the World Food Program and the International Organization for Migration put the relief system ahead of critical weeks, as funding shortages simultaneously threaten supplies of food, shelter, sanitation, and basic materials, while needs expand due to displacement, fighting, and drought.
Skau called for political action to end the war, and to provide the necessary funding to continue humanitarian aid, saying: “We cannot continue to let these people down.” We have to provide them with the basics.”
