The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) welcomed the signing of an agreement reached through its “mini-meeting,” calling it an important step toward resolving Libya’s political deadlock and holding national elections.

The agreement covers the restructuring of the High National Elections Commission and amendments to the legal and constitutional framework for presidential and parliamentary elections. It calls for both elections to be held under a single executive authority within “no more than 24 months”.

The agreement also provides for its ratification by the Benghazi-based House of Representatives and Tripoli-based High Council of State within one month, along with a mechanism to monitor implementation.

UNSMIL chief Hanna Tetteh said the signing was a significant step but “not the end of the political process” , urging Libyan institutions and political actors to implement their commitments and prioritize elections.

The UN said it will continue supporting the process and efforts to unify Libya’s state institutions.

ZAWIA – A targeted attack by militias has destroyed a substation south of Zawiya, cutting power to large parts of the area, Libya’s state electricity company ( GECOL ) said. GECOL warned that if the attacks on infrastructure continue, the national grid could face partial or even total blackouts.

The unrest has also derailed major overhaul work at the Zawiya power plant, which has a capacity of 1,300 megawatts. Security concerns had already driven GECOL to pull its teams out last June, leaving more than 700 megawatts offline, and the latest attack has forced the company to down tools again. GECOL also reported new damage to 220 kV and 400 kV transmission lines, deepening the shortfall.

The company said it could not be held responsible for the resulting damage or power cuts, and called on all sides to protect the country’s power facilities and keep the technical crews working on them safe.

TUNIS — Libya’s 4+4 joint military committee has agreed on a mechanism for appointing the head of the country’s electoral commission, the UN mission said.

Committee members are continuing their talks on the remaining points in the draft of the final agreement. They will resume consultations next week in Tunisia.

Mohammed Bahroun, known as “Al-Far” and commander of the Security Threats Unit, said his forces acted in self-defense during the armed clashes that erupted in Surman early Tuesday, rejecting claims they were the aggressors.

In a statement, Bahroun said his unit’s mission is to combat organized crime, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, fuel smuggling, and highway robbery. He claimed the unit’s headquarters and the Surman Security Directorate came under armed attack by groups linked to criminal networks, forcing his forces to respond.

He said the attackers’ headquarters was secured only to eliminate the threat before being handed over to the Tripoli based Government of National Unity authorities in coordination with military officials, stressing that his forces had no intention of seizing or controlling state institutions.

Bahroun called for an urgent, transparent, and independent investigation into the incident, urging authorities to hold those responsible accountable. He also stressed that his unit’s dispute was with criminal gangs, not the people of Surman or the western region, and called for unity in supporting state institutions and the fight against organized crime.

Chief of Staff of the Libyan military under the Tripoli-based government, Lieutenant General Salah Al-Din Al-Namroush, announced the deployment of military forces of brigade 52 across Surman following deadly clashes that erupted early Tuesday morning, which reportedly led to a prison break in the city.

The deployed forces have been tasked with securing Surman and protecting its prison as part of efforts to restore stability and safeguard vital infrastructure. The deployment comes after the withdrawal of armed groups from the city, with authorities saying the move aims to restore calm and normalcy

The Criminal Investigation Department announced that its officers successfully dismantled a car bomb after discovering a vehicle rigged for remote detonation parked outside a school in the city of Sorman, in western Libya.

According to the department, the vehicle contained five artillery shells and a landmine connected to a remote-controlled detonation circuit. Authorities safely neutralized the explosive device, preventing what could have been a devastating attack. An investigation is underway to identify those responsible.