Gaddafi angrily tore up the UN Charter and called it a “Terror Council”; 17 years later, Japan-backed Libya wants a seat on at the table

Libya is seeking a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2028–29, which would give it a stronger voice on global security issues.

If elected to the United Nations Security Council, Libya would serve as one of the 10 non-permanent members alongside the five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US.

Japan has expressed its formal support for Libya’s candidacy to join the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member.

This development came during a high-level meeting in Tripoli between Hassan Rabha, a senior official at the Libyan foreign ministry, and Yohei Onishi, Japan’s parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs.

According to Libya Observer, the Japanese government indicated it is “ready to continue coordination with Libyan officials to support the bid”.

This partnership highlights a significant effort to integrate Libya more deeply into the international political landscape.

Beyond political support, the two nations are working to rebuild their bilateral relationship through several economic and diplomatic initiatives.

Officials recently reviewed the results of a high-level Libyan economic delegation that visited Japan in July, which included the ministers of oil, gas, and economy.

One major outcome of these discussions is the potential “reopening of the consular section at Japan’s embassy in Tripoli,” which would allow Libyan citizens to access visa services once again.

Both countries have emphasized that they want to turn recent agreements into “practical projects to deepen Libya–Japan ties” in sectors like energy, education, and digital transformation.

Libya’s current pursuit of a council seat marks a sharp departure from the 2009 rhetoric of Muammar Gaddafi, who famously tore a copy of the UN Charter during his speech.

At that time, Gaddafi argued that the Council was a form of “political feudalism for those with permanent seats, protected by them and used against us. It should be called, not the Security Council, but the Terror Council.”

As published by Africa News, Gaddafi also claimed that it had failed to provide global security since its inception. He asserted that the body was used to “terrorize and intimidate the Third World” rather than protect it.

Today, the Libyan government is choosing to engage with the institution Gaddafi once rejected, seeking a role that emphasizes “continued political consultation and coordination on regional and international issues”.