Mohamed al-Menfi

Mohamed al-Menfi
Al-Menfi in 2023
Mohamed al-Menfi
Born	Mohamed Younis Ahmed Al-Menfi 3 3, 1976
Birthplace	Tobruk, Libya
Nationality	Libyan
Occupation	Diplomat, politician
Title	Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya
Known for	Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya

Mohamed Yunus al-Menfi (Template:Lang-ar; born 3 March 1976) is a Libyan diplomat and politician who has served as the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya since 15 March 2021. Born in the eastern Libyan city of Tobruk, al-Menfi rose through the ranks of Libyan diplomacy before being thrust onto the international stage during one of the most turbulent periods in his country's modern history. He was selected for the presidency of the Presidential Council on 5 February 2021 at the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), a United Nations-facilitated process held in Geneva, Switzerland, which sought to establish a unified interim government capable of guiding Libya toward national elections. Prior to his appointment, al-Menfi served as the Libyan Ambassador to Greece from December 2018 until December 2019, a brief but consequential tenure that ended amid a diplomatic crisis between Libya and Greece. Since assuming the chairmanship, al-Menfi has been a central figure in efforts to stabilize Libya's fractured political landscape, advocating for national reconciliation, sovereignty, and a Libyan-led political process.

Early Life

Mohamed Younis Ahmed Al-Menfi was born on 3 March 1976 in Tobruk, a port city in the Cyrenaica region of eastern Libya. Tobruk is historically significant as a site of major World War II battles and has served as a political center in Libya, notably hosting the internationally recognized House of Representatives after 2014 when the country split into rival governments. Al-Menfi grew up in this eastern Libyan environment, which shaped his political outlook and later career in diplomacy.

Details about al-Menfi's family background and childhood are not extensively documented in publicly available sources. What is known is that he pursued higher education at Tobruk University, where he completed his studies before entering diplomatic service. His origins in eastern Libya are politically noteworthy because much of the post-2011 Libyan conflict has been characterized by tensions between the eastern and western parts of the country. Al-Menfi's eastern background was considered a significant factor in his selection for the Presidential Council in 2021, as the LPDF process sought to balance regional representation in the new interim government.

Education

Al-Menfi attended Tobruk University in his home city, where he completed his academic studies. Tobruk University is one of the principal institutions of higher education in eastern Libya. The specific field of study and degree attained by al-Menfi have not been widely detailed in available English-language sources, though his subsequent career trajectory into diplomacy suggests a background in political science, international relations, or a related discipline.

Career

Diplomatic Service and Ambassadorship to Greece

Al-Menfi entered Libyan diplomatic service and built a career within the country's foreign affairs establishment. On 19 December 2018, he was appointed as the Libyan Ambassador to Greece, representing the Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.

His tenure as ambassador proved short-lived and was marked by a significant diplomatic incident. On 6 December 2019, Greece expelled al-Menfi from the country following the signing of a maritime boundary agreement between the GNA and Turkey. The deal, which delineated maritime zones in the eastern Mediterranean between Libya and Turkey, was fiercely contested by Greece, which argued that the agreement violated international law and infringed upon Greek sovereignty over its maritime zones and the rights of Greek islands, particularly Crete. Greece viewed the Turkey-Libya memorandum as an illegal arrangement that ignored the presence of Greek islands between the Turkish and Libyan coastlines.

The expulsion of al-Menfi was part of a broader diplomatic fallout that reverberated across the eastern Mediterranean, intensifying rivalries between Turkey and Greece over maritime resources and influence. The incident underscored the extent to which Libya's internal political dynamics had become entangled with wider regional geopolitics. Al-Menfi was succeeded as ambassador by Hamad Bashir Mabrouk. Despite the circumstances of his departure from Athens, the episode raised al-Menfi's profile within Libyan political circles and demonstrated the high-stakes nature of Libyan diplomacy during the post-2011 period.

The maritime boundary agreement that precipitated al-Menfi's expulsion from Greece continued to reverberate in regional politics for years afterward. As reported by The Guardian in 2024, the Turkey-Libya relationship, including the maritime deal, remained a significant factor in broader geopolitical alignments in the region, particularly as Egypt and Turkey sought to navigate their respective interests in Libya and the eastern Mediterranean.

Selection at the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum

Following years of civil conflict and political division in Libya—principally between the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord in the west and the House of Representatives and Libyan National Army in the east—the United Nations brokered a political dialogue process aimed at creating a unified interim government. The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), comprising 75 delegates representing various Libyan political, regional, and social constituencies, convened under UN auspices in Geneva, Switzerland, in early 2021.

On 5 February 2021, the LPDF selected al-Menfi as the president of the new three-member Presidential Council, which would serve as Libya's collective head of state during a transitional period leading up to planned national elections. The selection process was conducted through a vote among the LPDF delegates, with al-Menfi's list prevailing over competing slates. Alongside al-Menfi, the forum selected Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh as Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, and Musa Al-Koni as one of the vice presidents of the Presidential Council.

The process was not without controversy. The United States publicly denied allegations that it had attempted to influence the LPDF proceedings or the outcome of the vote, responding to reports that suggested international actors were seeking to steer the selection of Libya's new leadership. The allegations highlighted the intense international interest in Libya's political trajectory, given the country's strategic importance as a major oil producer and its location at the crossroads of migration routes to Europe.

Al-Menfi's selection was seen as an attempt to bridge Libya's deep regional divides, as he hailed from the eastern city of Tobruk while the new prime minister, Dbeibeh, was from the western city of Misrata. This geographic balancing was intended to signal inclusivity and encourage acceptance of the new government across Libya's divided political landscape.

Al-Menfi officially assumed the chairmanship of the Presidential Council on 15 March 2021, succeeding Fayez al-Sarraj, who had led the Government of National Accord since 2016.

Chairmanship of the Presidential Council

As Chairman of the Presidential Council, al-Menfi assumed the role of Libya's head of state, though executive governance was shared with Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and the Government of National Unity. The Presidential Council's primary mandate was to oversee the transitional period and facilitate conditions for national elections, which were initially planned for December 2021 but have been repeatedly postponed due to ongoing political disagreements over electoral laws, candidate eligibility, and the constitutional basis for elections.

Al-Menfi's tenure has been characterized by continuous efforts to navigate the complex web of Libyan factional politics, regional interests, and international pressures. Libya remained effectively divided, with rival authorities and armed groups maintaining control over different parts of the country.

Central Bank Crisis of 2024

In September 2024, Libya experienced a significant political crisis centered on the country's Central Bank. The dispute, which involved competing claims of authority over the institution and its governance, had broader implications for Libya's oil revenues and economic stability. The Guardian reported that a deal was eventually reached in late September 2024 to resolve the political issues surrounding the Central Bank, though the crisis underscored the fragility of Libya's institutional framework and the persistent challenges facing the transitional government.

De-escalation Efforts in Tripoli

In October 2025, al-Menfi and Prime Minister Dbeibeh reached an agreement on stages to implement a de-escalation process in Tripoli, the capital city, where tensions among various armed groups had periodically flared. The agreement between the head of state and the head of government was aimed at reducing the presence and influence of armed factions in the capital and restoring stability.

Engagement with the United States

Al-Menfi has maintained diplomatic engagement with the United States, a key international stakeholder in Libya's political process. In August 2025, al-Menfi met with US chargé d'affaires Jeremy Berndt in Tripoli, during which the American diplomat urged a faster political process in Libya. The meeting reflected the ongoing US interest in seeing Libya advance toward elections and a stable, unified government.

Diplomatic Activities and International Engagement

As head of state, al-Menfi has represented Libya at various international forums and has received foreign dignitaries. In December 2025, al-Menfi received the credentials of the new Ambassador Extraordinary of Qatar to Libya, reflecting the ongoing diplomatic relations between Libya and Gulf states.

Advocacy at the United Nations

Al-Menfi has used international platforms, particularly the United Nations General Assembly, to articulate Libya's political positions and advocate for the country's sovereignty and independence.

2025 UN General Assembly Address

In September 2025, al-Menfi addressed the United Nations General Assembly, where he presented a comprehensive vision for resolving the Libyan crisis. He outlined a four-pillar roadmap for Libya's political future, which encompassed key elements needed to move the country toward stability and elections.

During his speech, al-Menfi urged the international community to support a Libyan-led political process and called for an end to foreign interference in Libya's internal affairs. He emphasized the importance of full Libyan sovereignty and the necessity of holding elections as a path to democratic legitimacy and political stability. The call against foreign interference was particularly significant given the involvement of multiple external actors in Libya's conflict, including Turkey, Russia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and various European nations.

Al-Menfi also used international forums to advocate for broader reforms of the global governance system. He renewed calls for permanent African seats on the United Nations Security Council, arguing that the current structure of the Security Council does not adequately represent the African continent. This position aligned with longstanding demands by the African Union and numerous African heads of state for reform of the UN's most powerful body.

Controversies and Political Challenges

Al-Menfi's tenure as Chairman of the Presidential Council has not been without controversy. The broader Libyan political environment has remained deeply fractured, with competing power centers and armed groups complicating efforts at national reconciliation and elections.

In 2025, the appointment of a senior Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated leader as a presidential advisor on Libya's national reconciliation file generated significant political controversy. The decision raised concerns among certain Libyan political factions and observers about the influence of Islamist movements within the Presidential Council's advisory structure. The Muslim Brotherhood remains a polarizing force in Libyan and regional politics, and the appointment drew attention to the complex ideological and factional dynamics that al-Menfi must navigate in his role.

The persistent inability to hold national elections—originally planned for December 2021—has remained one of the most significant challenges of al-Menfi's chairmanship. The transitional mandate of the Presidential Council and the Government of National Unity was initially conceived as a temporary arrangement to bridge the period until elections, but the continued postponement of voting has raised questions about the legitimacy and duration of the interim government's authority.

The geopolitical dimensions of Libya's crisis have also added layers of complexity. Turkey's deepening involvement in Libya, extending from military support during the 2019–2020 conflict to broader economic and political engagement, has been a continuing source of both opportunity and tension.

Personal Life

Mohamed al-Menfi maintains a relatively private personal life. He is from Tobruk in eastern Libya. Publicly available sources provide limited information about his family, and al-Menfi has not been prominent in media coverage for his personal affairs, with public attention focused primarily on his political role. His eastern Libyan origins have been a defining element of his public identity, as his background from Tobruk has been considered an important factor in the regional balancing efforts that characterized the formation of the transitional government in 2021.

Legacy

Mohamed al-Menfi's legacy remains in formation, as Libya's political transition is ongoing and its outcome uncertain. His selection as Chairman of the Presidential Council represented a significant moment in post-2011 Libyan politics—an attempt, facilitated by the United Nations, to create a unified governing structure that could bridge the country's deep regional, tribal, and political divisions. As the head of state during one of Libya's most complex transitional periods, al-Menfi has been at the center of efforts to maintain dialogue between competing factions, engage the international community, and advance the cause of national elections.

His diplomatic career, including the short but eventful ambassadorship to Greece, placed him at the intersection of Libya's internal politics and the broader geopolitical competitions of the eastern Mediterranean. His advocacy at the United Nations for Libyan sovereignty, an end to foreign interference, and reform of global governance institutions has positioned him as a voice for both Libyan and African interests on the world stage.

The ultimate assessment of al-Menfi's tenure will depend largely on whether Libya succeeds in holding elections and establishing stable, unified governance—goals that, as of late 2025, remain elusive. The persistent challenges of armed group proliferation, institutional fragmentation, resource disputes, and external interference continue to define the landscape in which al-Menfi operates. His four-pillar roadmap, presented at the United Nations General Assembly in 2025, represents his articulated vision for the country's path forward, though its implementation remains subject to the complexities of Libyan and regional politics.