France has voiced a strong message at the United Nations Security Council concerning the urgent need for elections in Libya. The French representative highlighted the criticality of moving forward with the electoral process, stating that further delays are unacceptable, and contribute to the ongoing political instability in the country.
During the Security Council session on Libya, the French official underscored the “unsustainable nature of Libya’s prolonged transitional periods. The continuation of these phases without a clear endpoint only exacerbates the situation, inviting unwelcome external influence in Libyan internal affairs.”
The representative also pointed out the need for Libyan factions to engage in constructive dialogue. This dialogue is viewed as a crucial step towards establishing a functional government, capable of overseeing and conducting national elections.
France’s position reflects growing international concern over the political stagnation in Libya. The absence of a definitive electoral process is seen as a hindrance to the country’s progress, towards stability and democracy.
The call for immediate action in organising and conducting elections in Libya is a testament to the international community’s commitment to supporting a stable, and democratic governance structure. France’s statement underscores the urgency of this matter, and the need for collective efforts to address the political impasse.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The current stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December 2021, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, who is leading the transitional government, to step down.