On Friday, the Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Ján Kubiš,
presented his periodic briefing to the United Nations (UN) Security Council on the developments in the situation in Libya.
Kubiš urged all member states and regional organizations to send observation teams, in coordination with Libyan authorities and institutions. The aim of these teams is to help ensure integrity and credibility of the electoral process.
“We are just over 100 days from 24th of December. I was informed by House of Representatives’ (HoR) President, Ageela Saleh, that the presidential electoral law was already adopted,” Kubiš said during his briefing.
He praised the actions taken by the Government of National Unity (GNU) to facilitate the preparations for the holding of elections, especially providing the adequate funding for High National Elections Committee (HNEC). He also complimented the various security preparations that are being undertaken by the Ministry of Interior.
Kubiš however did warn of attempts to change the interim executive so close to the election date, saying that it will create more uncertainty about the elections and problems in preparing and securing them.
“Aborting the drive for elections will for many be a signal that violence is the only path to power in the country. This cannot be allowed. The international community must be firm in its support for elections. Not holding elections could gravely deteriorate the situation in the country, could lead to division and conflict,” he said.
He pointed out that the “evidently fragile” security situation needs further attention from the GNU and Presidential Council in coordination with the Libyan National Army’s (LNA) General Command, to create conditions for holding the elections in a secured environment.
“The ceasefire continues to hold and there has been some progress on the implementation of some elements of the ceasefire agreement. Nevertheless, the continued presence of mercenaries, foreign fighters, and foreign forces remains a cause of grave concern for Libya and the international community, including countries of the region, notably neighbours of Libya,” he added.
He noted that the preparations to deploy the first group of 10 UN ceasefire monitors and support staff in the coming days continue to support Libyan authorities in making progress towards full implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
The preparations for the next stages were also reviewed, as well as the options presented in the Libyan political scene regarding the constitutional rule.
Libya’s elections are supposed to be held on December 24th as Libyan parties to conflict agreed to last October in a UN-brokered deal.