UN briefing flags renewed violence in Zawiya, divided judiciary and ICC confirmation hearing

An agency official told the United Nations Security Council that renewed clashes between rival armed groups in Zawiya on May 8 caused at least 13 deaths, forced a temporary shutdown of an oil refinery and raised concern about the use of heavy weapons in populated areas.

"Crashes between rival armed groups on the May 8 in residential areas and near the Zawiya oil refinery resulted in at least 13 deaths and several injuries," the official said, adding that the incidents prompted a temporary refinery shutdown.

The official also described efforts to strengthen border-security coordination, citing a May 14 meeting of a joint technical coordination team that agreed on steps including joint operations in specified areas and the operationalization of coordination centres in Benghazi and Tripoli.

On justice, the official said Libya's judiciary remains divided into parallel high judicial councils and constitutional entities, producing contradictory rulings, and urged Libyan leaders to accelerate restructuring of the supreme judicial council to restore coherence and public confidence. The briefing also referenced a confirmation of charges hearing before the International Criminal Court in the case named in the transcript and called for continued cooperation with the ICC and stronger domestic prosecution of international humanitarian law violations.

The official noted positive steps on detention reviews, including the release of more than 400 people on Eid al-Adha, while the mission is investigating two deaths in custody in the Eastern region.