Two years after the fall of the authoritarian regime, the democratic transition process in Libya continues to faces a number of challenges, with pronounced political disagreements, a disruption of the country's oil exports, and security problems in recent months, Tarek Mitri, the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of the U.N. Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) told the Security Council on Monday.

"It is more evident today that pre-conceived ideas about political transition are likely to be a recipe for disappointment, if not failure," Mitri said in his briefing to the 15-member body.

"Free and fair elections may have augured a democratic process but they raised more expectations than what the political institutions and forces have been capable of meeting," he observed.

"Today, there is a sense of skepticism, and perhaps of rejection, with which the Libyan people view the political process. But this should not be mistaken for a loss of faith in national unity, democracy and the rule of law. Their commitment to the principles for which they fought their revolution remains deep."

Observations by Mr Mitri about the situation in Libya is important at a time when the world has been contemplating possible solutions for Syria.

Over the past several months, international attention has been focused on the coup in Egypt and the chemical gas attack in Syria.

However, during this period, media reports say that Libya has plunged unnoticed into its worst political and economic crisis since the military intervention by U.S.-led NATO forces which brought Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi down.

Government authority since then is disintegrating in all parts of the country. It has put in doubt claims by Western politicians who say NATO's 2011 military action in Libya was an outstanding example of a successful foreign military intervention, which should be repeated in Syria.

Mr Mitri's briefing on the work of UNSMIL over the past six months should come as an eye opener to the Security Council.

He said, a combination of internal and regional dynamics continue to place a huge strain on the political processes taking place in the country.

This further compounds the difficult tasks facing the Libyan authorities as they strive to ensure that the country's transition moves peacefully forward, he said.