The British Embassy in Libya said that London “supports the plan of the UN Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily to convene Libyan stakeholders to agree on the next steps for free and fair elections.”
“Libyans deserve certainty and faith in their institutions. Those in power must compromise,” the statement added.
The UK also urged Libya’s leaders to “respect the necessity for a settlement, to agree on the terms of the elections, and to respect their results.”
On Monday, Bathily briefed the UNSC on the latest developments in Libya. “I have decided to launch an initiative aimed at enabling the organization and holding of Presidential and legislative elections in 2023. In this regard, I plan to establish a High-level Steering Panel for Libya,” Bathily announced.
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 organisations, 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.”
The Libyan Parliament and its designated government, led by Fathi Bashagha denounced the new political initiative.
Moreover, Bathily said in televised statements that the roadmap that he is presenting “will be supported by all international and local actors inside and outside Libya.”
“We put forward this set of recommendations that will lead to a roadmap for holding elections in 2023. We aspired to achieve this, and there are many expectations about the electoral process through political dialogue,” he said.
Bathily pointed out that the “elected legitimate institutions are what will achieve stability in Libya.”
