The Libyan Parliament-designated Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha confirmed that he will “remain in office until all Libyan parties agree on electoral laws that are internationally welcomed, and start announcing specific dates for the elections.”
In press statements, Bashagha said that he will “define his position on running for the upcoming Presidential elections, after the issuance of laws regulating the electoral process.”
He confirmed his refusal to “what is reported about the decline in his chances of winning the race,” due to the failure of his government to enter Tripoli, to carry out its duties from there.
Bashagha indicated that his government, “obtained from the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) one and a half billion dinars, out of a total of 89 billion dinars, which is the total budget approved by the Libyan Parliament.”
He affirmed that the problem of armed groups in Libya “is not difficult to solve, if there is international support and political will.” He called for “finding alternative entities to accommodate these elements, and secure their sources of livelihood.”
The Libyan PM expressed his hope that the “international community would take more steps in support of the initiative of the UN Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, who aims to hold elections at the end of this year.”
Notably, Bathily said that his initiative “aims to break the political deadlock, stir up the stagnant waters, and involve everyone in drawing the electoral path.”
In an interview with Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Bathily noted that the UN Mission (UNSMIL) looks at the unification of power in Libya “realistically.”
“The unification of the government must be approached at this sensitive time with a lot of caution, because this issue may create indispensable complications for Libya,” he said.
Bathily explained that the electoral laws are still under discussion by the 6+6 joint commission. He pointed out that “any conditions that the parties see as ensuring the impartiality of the administration in supervising the elections can be included in these laws. This may include requiring the resignation of aspirants to run for the Presidency before a period of the election date.”
