On Thursday US Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland held a virtual meeting with Head of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), Emad Al-Din Al-Sayah to reaffirm American support for the general elections on 24 December 2021.
During the talks, Norland reiterated the US partnership with HNEC as it fulfils its apolitical mandate to allow Libyans to exercise their sovereign right, to choose their leaders through fair and transparent elections.
The Ambassador also welcomed genuine efforts through the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), to resolve long-standing constitutional questions related to the election. “We are confident these efforts will fulfil the will of the Libyan people – east, west, and south – to improve their lives through the establishment of a unified interim executive authority that will deliver better governance and prepare for successful national elections in December.”
Notably, Al-Sayeh confirmed earlier this month that HNEC had set July as a deadline to receive the laws necessary for conducting the elections.
A total of 75 members representing the social and political spectrum of Libyan society participated in the UN-sponsored LPDF, held during 7-15 November in Tunis. They discussed a political roadmap aimed at achieving a lasting peace in the war-torn nation.
The participants agreed to hold general elections in Libya on 24 December 2021, and also approved a mechanism to select a unified executive authority for the country.