UN welcomes Libya agreement paving way for national elections

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the agreement signed in Libya to implement the first two phases of the political roadmap set out by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. These phases involve restructuring the High National Elections Commission and addressing outstanding constitutional and legal issues related to the presidential and parliamentary elections.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said during the daily press briefing that the agreement marks an important step forward for Libya on its path toward national elections and ending the transitional period.

Guterres called on all Libyan parties and institutions to engage in good faith to advance the implementation of the agreement, which demonstrates that progress can be achieved through dialogue.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) hosted the signing ceremony on Sunday, reached by the "mini-meeting," and confirmed that it represents a significant step to advance the political process and create the necessary conditions for national elections.

The agreement stipulates amending the electoral framework, including arrangements for holding presidential and parliamentary elections under a unified executive authority, with parties committing to organize them within no more than 24 months.

It also includes provisions for national adoption by the House of Representatives and the High Council of State within a month, as well as the establishment of a follow-up mechanism to support its implementation.

For her part, UN Special Representative in Libya Hanna Tetteh stressed that the current responsibility lies in translating the agreement into concrete actions, through national adoption, implementation of the agreed electoral framework, and continued efforts to create the institutional and political conditions needed for fair elections.