On Tuesday, the UN Envoy to Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Abdoulaye Bathily said that “the electoral process in Libya offers a unique opportunity to mobilise the entire national community, so that elections are peaceful, inclusive, free and fair and pave the way for a new dispensation for Libyans.”
Bathily, in a briefing to the UN Security Council, urged the Libyan Parliament and High Council of State (HCS), to “expedite the work of the 6+6 Joint Committee and publish a time-bound work program for elections to take place this year.”
He noted that “electoral laws must be completed in time for the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) to begin implementing the electoral process by early July.”
To promote stability and ensure security during and following elections, Bathily facilitated a series of meetings in Tunis, Tripoli, Benghazi, and Sebha between the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) and Libyan security and military actors from all regions of Libya.
“Leaders and representatives of military units and security formations operating in western, eastern, and southern Libya committed to supporting all stages of the elections, and rejected violence. As well as agreeing to take practical steps for the safe return of internally displaced persons, the release of detainees, and addressing the missing persons issue in the context of national reconciliation,” Bathily told the Security Council.
“As a result of these consultations, on 8 April 2023, Libyan National Army (LNA) released six detainees as a confidence-building measure,” he added.
Meanwhile, the UN Envoy continued to push for the withdrawal of foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya. Bathily traveled to Sudan, Chad, and Niger to secure regional support from authorities. Under UN auspices, liaison committees from Libya, Sudan, Chad, and Niger also met to discuss strengthening cooperation and establishing an information-sharing mechanism.
In his remarks to the Security Council, Bathily called on the international community to “remain mobilised and vigilant” to support the movement toward elections. He reiterated his commitment to continue using his good offices to facilitate progress.
“Libyan leaders must deliver on their commitments and meet the people’s expectation to choose leaders this year,” he said.
Bathily stressed that UNSMIL will “intensify its facilitation and mediation, through the multiple, interdependent, and mutually reinforcing axes of our comprehensive approach, to support the realisation of all political, legal, and security requirements so elections can be held this year. The people of Libya are eager to enter a new dawn for peace, stability, and prosperity in their collective lives. Let us support them in achieving this legitimate aspiration.”
