Libya faces escalating security and water crises, UN warns

United Nations officials and several Security Council members have warned that Libya is facing a compounding crisis driven by political instability, security threats, and severe climate risks. UN special representative Hanna Serwaa Tetteh reported that armed groups are competing over illicit activities such as human trafficking and fuel smuggling, while recent drone attacks on critical infrastructure, including the Zawia oil refinery, have significantly reduced electricity capacity.

Environmental pressures are exacerbating these tensions. Eight UN Security Council members—including France, the United Kingdom, and Greece—warned that worsening water scarcity and climate change threaten national stability. Libya is increasingly dependent on non-renewable groundwater, and its primary water supply network, the Great Man-Made River, is under pressure from aging infrastructure. Experts noted that temperatures have approached 50°C, and many domestic wells in Tripoli fail to meet drinking-water standards due to contamination.

The economic situation remains strained, with the country spending approximately $1 billion monthly on fuel imports amid severe electricity shortages. Political progress remains stalled, though efforts continue through the Four Plus Four Committee to establish a framework for national elections. The UN has called for the implementation of Libya’s National Water Security Strategy for 2026-2050 and urged international assistance to address infrastructure deficiencies and groundwater depletion.