On Wednesday, Head of the UN Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Abdoulaye Bathily met with the Chairman of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), Emad Al-Sayeh in Tripoli.
UNSMIL said in a statement that the two sides discussed the electoral process, including ways to strengthen efforts to hold elections
“Bathily reiterated the UN’s continued commitment to provide all required technical support for HNEC,” the statement noted.
Notably, the UNSMIL official arrived in Tripoli, on 14 October, to assume his office as UNSMIL Head.
According to a statement issued by the mission, Bathily said his priority is to “identify a consensual pathway towards the holding of inclusive and credible national elections.” He stressed that “elections should be held as soon as possible, on a solid constitutional framework.”
“Restoring the electoral process will support fostering national unity and stability, and renew the legitimacy of institutions in the country,” he affirmed.
Bathily noted that he will lead the United Nations’ good offices and mediation efforts to reach a sustainable and peaceful Libyan-led and Libyan-owned solution.
“Over the coming days, I will first and foremost engage with all Libyan parties across the country, including civil society, women, and youth groups, to listen to their views on the political, security, and economic situations and hear their vision about the future of their country,” the UNSMIL added.
He also held talks with the Presidential Council, the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba and the Parliament Speaker, Ageela Saleh.
Megan Doherty, USAID’s Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for the Middle East stressed the importance of “conducting credible and transparent elections in Libya, based on international standards.”
During her meeting with Al-Sayeh, she confirmed her commitment to supporting democratic development in Libya.