On Thursday, the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General (SASG) on Libya, Stephanie Williams held a meeting with the Speaker of the Libyan Parliament and Presidential candidate, Ageela Saleh in Al-Qubba city. They discussed the electoral process, political developments, and their impact on the elections.
During the meeting, Williams welcomed Saleh’s commitment to continuing the electoral process, including the need for all candidates to respect a level playing field.
She added that the meeting comes as part of the wide range of consultations she is conducting with Libyan institutions and political and security actors.
The UN envoy remains in touch with various parties, as the security situation on the ground is undergoing dramatic changes.
On Tuesday, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed concerns about the mobilization of forces in Tripoli, just days before the 24 December elections. The mission said these developments worsened tensions, and increased the risk of clashes that could spiral into a wider conflict.
Farhan Haq, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ Deputy Spokesman stated that:
“The entire purpose of the Libyan elections is to bring the Libyan people together. If it doesn’t serve that purpose as currently managed, we might need to make some form of an adjustment. How that will happen, what the format will be, these are the sort of things Stephanie Williams is discussing with the parties right now. She has been having productive discussions, and we certainly hope that, at the end of it, we will have some clarity on the way to proceed in the future.”
UNSMIL said in a statement that the developments in Tripoli do not bode well for the ongoing efforts to maintain stability, establish security, and for political conditions necessary for peaceful, credible, inclusive, free and fair elections.
“Any disagreements on emerging political or military matters should be resolved through dialogue, particularly at this stage when the country is navigating through a difficult and complex electoral process that should usher in a peaceful transition,” said the mission.