On Tuesday, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General stated that the Security Council held consultations on Libya. He added that it was briefed by Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary Dicarlo.
Dujarric noted that the Security Council also heard a briefing by the UN Representative and Coordinator of the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland on Libya, and the general regional situation.
The Security Council is scheduled to hold a session on 30 April. This coincides with the expiration of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya’s (UNSMIL) mandate. The session will be devoted to extending a new term for UNSMIL.
On Monday, the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Libya (SASG), Stephanie Williams praised the meetings between the Joint Committee of Libyan Parliament and the High State Council (HCS). She stated that they “took place in a consensual atmosphere,” and it was agreed to continue the consultations after Eid El-Fitr.
In her closing remarks, Williams said that the parties agreed on the internal regulations governing the work of the committee.
She indicated that the UN hoped to build on the consensus that was achieved between the two legislative bodies at the beginning of this year. In order to “hold prompt elections, and meet the aspirations of the Libyan people.”
The SASG also stressed the importance of holding elections based on a sound constitutional framework, with specific deadlines. “We will continue to support the political process in Libya to hold elections, as they deserve a clear path out of this crisis.”
Williams emphasised that the country’s institutions must provide democratic frameworks for holding elections as soon as possible.
Libya’s political process has broken down again this year, after the collapse of elections scheduled for December. This prompted the eastern-based Parliament to appoint a new government, led by Fathi Bashagha.
The existing administration of Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, has refused to quit and remains entrenched in Tripoli. This has risked a return to fighting, and threatened territorial divisions between rival factions.