The Libyan Parliament-designated Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha welcomed the statement of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on launching a comprehensive national dialogue in Libya.
He praised the Security Council’s strong commitment to fair and independent Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
Members of the Security Council expressed their “deep concern at the persistent political deadlock in Libya, and disappointment at the lack of progress, which continues to risk the achievement of stability and the unity of the country.”
In a statement issued by the Council President, Ruchira Kamboj, on Tuesday, the UNSC reiterated its call on all Libyan parties and key stakeholders to engage in a dialogue.
The Council called for all actors to “preserve the prevailing calm on the ground, and to come together under United Nations auspices to agree swiftly a path forward, to finalize the political settlement, including the constitutional basis. This is to conduct free, fair, transparent and inclusive national presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible across the country.”
The members reiterated their “strong support for the people of Libya to determine who governs them through elections, and to ensure this legitimate demand is heard through the political process.”
The statement added that the Security Council is “committed to supporting inclusive intra-Libyan dialogue aiming at forming a unified Libyan government able to govern across the country, and representing the whole of Libya’s people.”
They underlined the importance of an inclusive, comprehensive national dialogue and reconciliation process based on the principles of transitional justice.
They also stressed the importance of providing a safe environment for civil society organizations to work freely, and to protect them from threats and reprisals.
The UNSC reaffirmed the importance of establishing a Libyan-led mechanism bringing together stakeholders from across the country to set spending priorities. This is to ensure oil and gas revenues are managed in a transparent, equitable, accountable manner to benefit the Libyan people and with effective Libyan oversight.