On Wednesday, the Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba received Richard Norland, the US Envoy to Libya.
The two discussed plans to facilitate the swift and fair conduct of national elections. The PM expressed his commitment to ensuring the success of the forthcoming polls, under stable security conditions and equitable electoral laws.
According to the statement, Norland voiced US support for the ongoing efforts toward the successful execution of elections. As well as emphasized the necessity of scheduling these important political events at the earliest opportunity.
In their discussion about the nation’s finances, the two reviewed the government’s spending patterns for the first half of the current year.
Dbaiba highlighted the “importance of the sustained equitable distribution of government expenditures amongst all citizens, asserting that over 80% of spending is directly and equitably allocated to citizens throughout the diverse regions of the country.”
In a tweet through the US Embassy’s official account, Norland expressed his discussions with Dbaiba regarding the significance of establishing a robust legal basis. As well as supporting Bathily in expediting the election process to keep pace with the aspirations of the Libyan populace.
Addressing the UN Security Council on Monday, Bathily highlighted a slew of disagreements jeopardizing the Libyan electoral process.
The Envoy indicated that numerous disputes among Libyan parties will persistently plague the electoral process. He emphasized the need for a political settlement among major political factions, to alleviate these conflicts.
The UN diplomat stressed that the proposed electoral laws agreed by a committee of two legislative bodies this month “are not sufficient to resolve the most contested issues and enable successful elections.”
He added that failure to reach an agreement among Libya’s rival sides could “trigger a new crisis.”
Bathily indicated that “all these disputed subjects necessitate political consensus amongst representatives across the political landscape. Without a comprehensive agreement, the electoral process could encounter a stalemate akin to the 2021 elections, instigating yet another crisis.”
It’s noteworthy that the United Nations previously announced that the political trajectory in Libya has reached a critical juncture.
It’s noteworthy that the United Nations previously announced that the political trajectory in Libya has reached a critical juncture.
They stated that successful elections depend on a robust legal framework, and a political agreement ensuring the active involvement of all political factions. The UN urged all major stakeholders to “forge a comprehensive and final agreement on disputed subjects, enabling the successful execution of elections and the ushering of the country into a phase of stability.”
As of now, the future of elections in Libya remains shrouded in uncertainty. Political factions have opposed the recent agreement on the laws governing the elections, and the eligibility conditions for Presidential candidates. These topics remain contentious, while amendments to several disputed laws have also been called.