Open letter from HRH Prince Mohammed El Hasan El Rida El Senussi to His Excellency The Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres
9 April 2020
Dear Secretary General,
The United Nations has played a prominent role in recent years striving to secure peace, reconciliation and consensus among my fellow countrymen.
These efforts were designed to reduce the suffering of Libyan citizens and achieve stability. Had they been successful they would have ushered in the resumption of normality and begun a process of development and reconstruction to which all segments of Libyan society naturally aspire.
The reality is that these noble efforts today collide with a painful reality. The people of Libya continue to find themselves struggling with the daily hardship of seeking a living, acquiring education and protecting the safety and security of their family homes from violation.
Tens of thousands have been displaced and millions of people are forced to endure the breakdown of basic amenities such a power and water. Dozens of our finest young people die every day in a cycle of violence and conflict.
As if these hardships were not enough of a burden on our society the global covid-19 pandemic is severely challenging the Libyan health institutions. Financial hardship, accentuated by disruptions to the oil and gas industry, which is the primary source of national income, the continuing political conflict, and the militarisation of society make the task of the health service even more challenging.
We call upon the United Nations to stand by our country and the Libyan people in our hour of need.
We ask that you apply pressure on all factions to stop the bloodshed and destruction.
We beseech you to direct all necessary aid and support to Libyan health institutions struggling to combat the effects of the global pandemic.
We also remind the international community of its duty to protect and preserve the assets of the Libyan Investment Authority. These, and other assets that belong to the Libyan people, have been under UN control for several years. There is presently no institution in Libya capable of safeguarding and stewarding these assets. They must be held in trust for future generations of Libyans, until such time as they can be reliably used to support reconstruction, nation-building, capacity development and to build a better future for our children.
Yours faithfully,
Mohammed El Hasan El Rida El Senussi
Crown Prince of Libya