The UN Envoy to Libya, and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Abdoulaye Bathily said that his initiative “aims to break the political deadlock, stir up the stagnant waters, and involve everyone in drawing the electoral path.”
In an interview with Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Bathily noted that UNSMIL looks at the unification of power in Libya “realistically.”
“The unification of the government must be approached at this sensitive time with a lot of caution, because this issue may create indispensable complications for Libya,” he said.
Bathily explained that the electoral laws are still under discussion by the 6+6 joint commission. He pointed out that “any conditions that the parties see as ensuring the impartiality of the administration in supervising the elections can be included in these laws. This may include requiring the resignation of aspirants to run for the Presidency before a period of the election date.”
On 27 February, Bathily announced an initiative aimed at enabling legislative and Presidential elections this year, and will set up a high-level steering panel, he told the United Nations Security Council.
The proposed mechanism will bring together all relevant Libyan stakeholders, including representatives of political institutions, major political figures, tribal leaders, civil society organizations, security actors, women, and youth representatives.
Bathily noted that the initiative will facilitate the adoption of the legal framework and time-bound roadmap to the holding of elections in 2023. The proposed panel will also “provide a platform to advance consensus around related matters, such as election security and the adoption of a Code of Conduct for all candidates,” he added.
Libya is currently facing a political crisis after the Libyan Parliament swore in a new Prime Minister, former Interior Minister, Fathi Bashagha in February 2022. MP’s argued that the incumbent Prime Minister, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba’s mandate expired when the elections failed to take place.