On Tuesday, the Head of Libya’s Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Mnifi affirmed his support for “any clear and detailed international efforts that aim to address the differences over the constitutional base, and meet the aspirations of the Libyan people to choose their leaders.”
These remarks came during his meeting with the French Ambassador to Libya, Mustafa Mihraje to discuss the latest developments in the political situation in Libya.
During the meeting, the Ambassador briefed Al-Mnifi on the outcomes of the meeting he held with the UN Special Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily with regard to his briefing to the Security Council.
On Tuesday, Bathily announced the launch of an initiative aimed at enabling legislative and Presidential elections in the country this year, and will set up a High-Level Steering Panel.
In turn, Libya’s Parliament and its designated government, led by Fathi Bashagha denounced the new political initiative announced by Bathily.
The Parliament stressed that the call for the formation of a new Dialogue Committee “is one of its competencies with the High Council of State (HCS).”
The House affirmed “Libya’s ownership of the political process,” explaining that it is “the only guarantor for the success of any initiatives in this regard.” It stated that the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) limited the invitation to convening the Dialogue Committee in Parliament and the Supreme Council.”
It noted that Bathily’s briefing included “contradictions and inaccuracies” regarding the failure of the Parliament and the HCS to approve the constitutional rule for holding elections.
In turn, the Foreign Ministry of the Bashagha-led government warned of “trying to bypass the official political bodies (the HoR and HCS). As this step does not help in reaching successful and satisfactory solutions.”
It added that the UN mission will “put itself in a contradictory and non-neutral position.”
According to the UN Envoy, the proposed mechanism will bring together all relevant Libyan stakeholders, including representatives of political institutions, major political figures, tribal leaders, civil society organizations, security actors, women, and youth representatives.
Bathily noted that the initiative will facilitate the adoption of the legal framework and time-bound roadmap to the holding of elections in 2023. The proposed Panel will also “provide a platform to advance consensus around related matters, such as election security and the adoption of a Code of Conduct for all candidates,” he added.
