On Sunday, the Head of Libya’s Presidential Council Mohamed Al-Mnifi hosted a meeting with the UN Envoy and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, (UNSMIL) Abdoulaye Bathily in Tripoli.
During the talks, Bathily confirmed the UN Mission’s readiness to “coordinate efforts with the Presidential Council, and other Libyan factions in refining the legal structure for the upcoming elections.”
“This collaborative effort aims to foster unity among all involved parties, and progress consensus on multiple pathways,” he added.
In the course of the discussion, Al-Mnifi provided a briefing on the outcomes of his recent dialogue with various Libyan factions. These interactions revolved around deliberating the results from the 6+6 Joint Committee, which was established to formulate the election laws.
In turn, the Bathily commended the ongoing partnership with the Presidential Council, highlighting the importance of “enhancing cooperation among all Libyan factions in devising consensual laws that can pave the way for fair and transparent elections.”
Welcoming the mission’s efforts, Al-Mnifi emphasised the importance of a “consensus among the key factions and a comprehensive, inclusive framework that can lead to the long-awaited Libyan elections and conclude the ongoing transitional phases.”
Libya has been in a state of political turmoil and instability since the 2011 overthrow and death of late leader, Muammar Gaddafi.
Efforts to establish peace and stability in Libya led to the formation of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), an UN-led dialogue initiative composed of 75 Libyan participants chosen to represent a broad cross-section of Libyan society. The LPDF’s goal was to create a unified interim government to guide Libya toward national elections.
In March 2021, the LPDF’s discussions culminated in the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU), an interim government led by Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba and a three-member Presidential Council headed by Al-Mnifi. The GNU’s original mandate was to lead the country to national elections, scheduled for 24 December 2021, which were delayed indefinitely due to disagreements over the election laws.
Bathily is playing a crucial role in brokering peace talks and negotiations between these rival factions. His work aims to end the civil war, restore stability, and create the conditions necessary for free and fair elections.
