The Egyptian coastal city of Hurghada is set to host the three-day Libyan Constitutional Committee talks, which are to be attended by members of the Libyan Parliament and the High Council of State (HCS), under the auspices of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNISMIL).
The meeting aims to discuss all possible solutions for reaching an agreement between the two parties regarding the creation of a constitutional and legal base for the upcoming national elections, scheduled for 24 December 2021.
During the talks, the committee will present periodic reports to the HCS, provided that a final report shall be submitted within 40 days, while the committee is expected to include 30 members representing the HCS and the Libyan Parliament.
On, Sunday, the Acting Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Stephanie Williams held a virtual meeting with 1,000 Libyans from across the country.
UNSMIL said that 76% of the participants were in favour of conducting national elections on 24 December 2021, and the majority called for an end to the years-long transitional period. According to 69% of those who joined the digital conversation, a “unified interim executive authority in the run-up to elections is needed.”
UNISML also noted that all participants expressed their support for the ceasefire agreement signed on 23 October 2020, and called for mercenaries and foreign fighters to be expelled. The participants called for a stronger UN role in ending foreign interference in the country, and for the continuation of the UN-facilitated dialogue. As many feared that “war will erupt again,” without the UN’s support.