The Libyan Deputy Prime Minister, Salim Al-Zadma, said that the new government is committed to holding elections as soon as possible.
In a statement on the occasion of Labour Day, Al-Zadma added that the government is committed to supporting workers’ rights, moving forward in restoring the stability of the country as well as promoting peace and social harmony.
He affairmed that the government is also devoted to achieving comprehensive and sustainable development in all fields, as well as holding elections as soon as possible.
Al-Zadma stressed that the Libyan government extends its sincerest congratulations to all workers in Libya on the occasion of Labour Day. He confirmed that workers are the backbone and basic building block for the establishment of any society to advance it towards construction, development and prosperity.
On Friday, the United Nations (UN) Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until the 31st of July.
The Security Council called on the Libyan parties to “refrain from any actions that undermine the ceasefire or the political process.” It also urged the Secretary-General to appoint a new Envoy in Libya to lead the mission.
Disagreements erupted earlier between Security Council members over UNSMIL’s fate. The dispute intensified between the United States (US) and Russia. Moscow renewed its objection to the continued assumption of the mission by the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General, Stephanie Williams.
Several months ago, Russia blocked a decision in the Security Council entrusting Williams with the mission’s mandate for an extended period. It eventually agreed to her supervision of the extension.
Russia claimed that she was “a non-neutral party, working in the interests of the US, and implementing its agenda in Libya.”
On the other hand, African states are demanding that the new Envoy be from the continent.
The Libya Stats website conducted two opinion polls this week to measure the extent of the people’s satisfaction with the performance of UNSMIL.
The first poll was put up for a day on Twitter. 224 people participated, with 94% of the voters believing that the UN’s role is “very bad.” 2% of the participants affirmed that UNSMIL is performing “excellently”, the remaining 4% said its role was “good.”
In the second poll, Libya Stats asked “Do you support the expulsion and replacement of the Adviser to the Secretary-General of the UN, Stephanie Williams, from Libya?”
After 253 people voted, 89% of them called for her dismissal and replacement. 11% voted in favour of her remaining.