The United Nations Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily called on participants of the Berlin Process Humanitarian and Human Rights International Law Working Group to “support Libyan authorities and institutions working towards a stable and improved future for the country.”
During a high-level meeting, Bathily commended the efforts of the UN Support Mission (UNSMIL) and other international and Libyan mechanisms. He urged group leaders to ensure “all Libyans are included in building a better future through respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.”
Bathily emphasised the importance of hosting all Berlin process events on Libyan soil, under the Presidential Council’s auspices and with the participation of all stakeholders to strengthen Libyan national sovereignty.
On Saturday, the Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, Ageela Saleh stressed the need to form a mini-cabinet with a 6 to 8-month-mandate to supervise elections impartially.
These remarks came during his meeting with a number of notables and tribal Sheikhs of the eastern, western, and southern regions of Libya. The attendees demanded an improvement in the political situation in the country. They also discussed the necessity of holding elections this year.
On his part, Saleh stressed that “national reconciliation is the most important pillar in restoring security and stability in Libya,” praising the “patriotic role being played by the Libyan tribes to achieve security and stability in the country,” according to a statement by the Parliament media office.
The Speaker also reviewed the Parliament’s plan to “achieve the will of the Libyan people to hold elections as soon as possible,” stressing his “complete rejection of foreign interference in the country’s affairs.”
On 15 May, Libya’s eastern-based Parliament voted to suspend its designated Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha. It appointed his Finance Minister, Osama Hamada to his role.
In February 2022, the Libyan Parliament elected the former Interior Minister to replace Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba. This was part of a United Nations-backed peace process to end more than a decade of violence in the North African country.
Dbaiba failed in his key task of organizing elections in December, at which point the Parliament ruled that his mandate had run out. The Tripoli-based Prime Minister refused to hand over power before elections, preparing a showdown with Bashagha.
Dbaiba has previously 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.”
