On Saturday, the Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar received the UN Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily in Benghazi.
Bathily briefed Haftar on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya’s (UNSMIL) upcoming plan, which will lead to the holding of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
The statement added that they stressed the importance of supporting the efforts of the Libyan Parliament, and the High Council of State (HCS) to complete the constitutional rule.
On his part, Haftar expressed his “continued support to my efforts on the political process, and to the important work of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) in creating an enabling security environment,” Bathily tweeted.
The two officials had previously met in Benghazi last month. They discussed the political, security, and social situation in Libya. “We agreed that it is imperative that all parties engage constructively, and without delay, to establish a constitutional framework to facilitate free, fair, and transparent elections in 2023,” Bathily tweeted.
Bathily encouraged Haftar to continue support for the JMC. As well as commending his commitment to back the implementation of the action plan for the withdrawal of all foreign forces, and mercenaries. “This will contribute to sustainable peace and stability in Libya,” he explained
The two agreed on the critical need to unify state institutions, including the military. As well as ensure national resources are managed transparently, for the benefit of all Libyans.
Two days ago, the German Ambassador to Libya, Michael Ohnmacht, said that elections in Libya can be held before the end of the current year, citing the High National Electoral Commission’s (HNEC) previous statements that it was technically ready.
In press statements, Ohnmacht stated that “it is not just about the possibility of holding the elections whether at the end of 2023 or at the beginning of next year, but most importantly is to ensure that they are successful and transparent, and with acceptable results. I have repeatedly spoken with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the General Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), in Benghazi, where he affirmed that he wants elections, like all other officials in Libya who showed similar desires.”
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The current stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December 2021, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, who is leading the transitional government, to step down.
