The Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) , Abdoulaye Bathily stated that “youth and women in Libya are essential partners in the process of reconciliation, peace, and stability.”
In a thread on his Twitter account, Bathily noted that he had met with young Libyan men and women from across the country, representing the Youth Dialogue Forum. “I was impressed by the ideas they presented for the way forward in Libya, while talking about addressing the current political stalemate.”
The UN Envoy stressed the necessity of including youth and women in the political process, and contributing to building the future of Libya.
He reiterated that the path to achieving long-lasting peace, stability, and economic prosperity is through holding free, fair, and inclusive elections as soon as possible.
The European Union’s Ambassador to Libya, Sabadell Jose stated that he had held talks with the Deputy Head of the Libyan Presidential Council, Abdullah Al-Lafi.
In a tweet, Jose added that the meeting discussed the Libyan Presidential Council’s proposal to meet with the Libyan Parliament, and the High Council of State (HCS) and move towards elections.
He confirmed that the EU would stand together with Bathily to support initiatives to end the current impasse, and secure a consensus.
“As we approach the first anniversary of the postponement of Libyan elections, solutions to the crisis become more and more urgent,” Jose noted.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Moammar Gadaffi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The current stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, who led the transitional government, to step down. In response, the country’s eastern-based Parliament appointed a rival Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha, who has for months sought to install his government in Tripoli.
