Members of the Libyan Parliament and the High Council of State (HCS) representing Libya’s southern Fezzan region, announced their rejection of an initiative by the UN Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, regarding the political process.
This announcement came during a meeting held in Tripoli, and chaired by the First Deputy Chairman of the HCS, Masoud Obeid.
According to a statement, the members “rejected Bathily’s initiative concerning the talks of the five-sided table,” citing the “absence of any representation for the Fezzan region in his proposed initiative.”
The statement added that the participants also agreed to submit a document, outlining the strategic vision for development and stability for the region.
The UN Mission (UNSMIL) has not provided details about Bathily’s supposed initiative, and the HCS did not clarify the nature of the initiative and the involved parties.
On 16 November, Bathily emphasised the need for the main political parties to meet, and reach a political agreement on all outstanding issues related to the elections.
In recent days, Bathily has held several meetings with various political and social parties, amid rumours of an anticipated new initiative. This was revealed by the Head of the HCS, Mohamed Tekala, following a phone call with Bathily on 12 November.
Notably, Bathily met with a delegation from the Social Council of the Warfalla tribes, led by its Head, Sheikh Ageela Najem. He reiterated the UN’s commitment to a “comprehensive political process led and controlled by Libyans, to achieve a consensus settlement on electoral laws.”
Earlier, 63 Libyan political parties have called on UNSMIL to support the formation of a unified government, which will create the conditions necessary for elections.
The demand was made during a protest by several Libyan parties on Tuesday evening, in front of the UNSMIL’s headquarters in Janzour.
The protest aimed to accelerate the Presidential and Parliamentary elections, in response to the will of the Libyan people.
Protesters blamed the Mission for the current political deadlock, urging immediate action to support and facilitate elections.
They called for an “expansion of consultations with political parties, the formation of a unified government to lead the country to quick elections, and the resolution of the political deadlock while completing the unification of Libyan institutions.”
The parties expressed concerns that UNSMIL “might transform from a neutral tool supporting the Libyan people, to serving the interests of those clinging to power.”
They urged the Mission to “urgently prioritize its efforts, using all available means to pressure parties obstructing the Libyan people’s will to transition to a phase of political stability, through free, fair, and transparent Presidential and parliamentary elections.”