The Chairman of the National High Electoral Commission (HNEC), Emad Al-Sayeh, received the European Union Ambassador to Libya, Nicolas Orlando, along with his accompanying delegation.
Orlando expressed his appreciation for the commission’s efforts in preparing for the municipal elections, including the first group set for 2024 and the second group scheduled to begin in January 2025.
He reaffirmed the EU’s readiness to provide technical and advisory support to enhance the commission’s preparedness and create a conducive environment for the upcoming elections.
This visit is part of the international community’s support for Libya’s democratic path and aimed to assess the commission’s readiness to conduct the municipal elections. Discussions also focused on potential EU contributions in terms of expertise and assistance in managing and implementing the electoral process.
Earlier this week, Orlando announced the opening of a border training centre in Sabratha, affiliated with the Border Guards under the Ministry of Defence in Libya’s Government of National Unity.
The centre was established in cooperation with Italy’s Ministry of Interior and funded through an EU programme, according to Orlando.
The EU ambassador emphasised that supporting Libya in managing its borders and conducting search-and-rescue operations in compliance with human rights is a cornerstone of the EU-Libya partnership.
Orlando noted that “outstanding Libyan officers will continue saving lives, combating human trafficking, and addressing irregular migration thanks to sustained European support and human rights training led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).”
The issue of border security is a key element of the Libya-Italy relationship. Last Thursday, Libya’s Ministry of Interior discussed cooperation with its Italian counterpart on maritime security and the maintenance of patrol vessels.
The talks took place during a meeting in Tripoli between the Director of the General Administration for Coastal Security and a representative from Italy’s Ministry of Interior, with the Head of the European Affairs Division at the Department of International Relations also in attendance.
