The last UN special representative, Jan Kubis, resigned November 23, 2021, after 10 months on the job, and a number of candidates proposed by Guterres were rejected by council members, Libya or neighbouring countries. In December, Guterres appointed veteran American diplomat Stephanie Williams, a former UN deputy special representative in Libya, as his special adviser — a job that did not require council approval. So, the mission has had no leader as Libyans grapple with a constitutional and political crisis. Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. Guterres said Bathily brings 40 years of experience to the job of special representative and head of Libya's UN political mission.
