UN reiterates its support for Libya's efforts to combat organized crime.

Tripoli, 13 January 2026 (Lana)—Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Resident Coordinator for Libya, Ulrika Richardson, reiterated the UN mission's commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at combating organized crime, strengthening the rule of law, and building institutions capable of protecting security and stability in Libya.

This came during opening remarks delivered by her at the launch of the (UNODC ROMENA) report “Drug Trafficking Dynamics in Libya and Across North Africa,” hosted by the Office of the Attorney-General.

"Drug trafficking is not simply a criminal concern but a strategic threat that erodes the rule of law, finances illicit actors, and undermines peace, stability, and state authority in Libya and across the region," she stated.

She noted that the report responds directly to long-standing calls, including from the Security Council, for robust, evidence-based assessments of organized crime, stating that by analyzing drug trafficking as a core criminal economy, the report highlights the need to better understand the linkages between various illicit networks that continue to weaken institutions and national sovereignty.

She expressed her appreciation to the Office of the Attorney-General for its leadership and partnership and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to advancing coordinated, rule-of-law-based responses.

=Lana=