The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has commended the recent Bar Association elections held on March 5th across ten branch unions, including the General Union in Tripoli. Through a statement on its Facebook page, UNSMIL praised the elections for demonstrating the union’s independence and unity, along with the determination of Libyan lawyers to progress in their field.
UNSMIL also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the independence of the Bar Association, recognizing it as a pivotal civil society institution in Libya. The mission expressed readiness to continue collaborating with the union to bolster the profession and enhance the capabilities of Libyan lawyers and legal practitioners.
This endorsement from UNSMIL highlights the importance of the Bar Association’s elections, reflecting the strength and unity within Libya’s legal community.
Furthermore, the United Nations Special Envoy, Abdoulaye Bathily, has acknowledged the support of the Canadian government towards UNSMIL. In discussions with Canadian Ambassador Isabelle Savard, Bathily emphasized the ongoing political process in Libya and the efforts towards establishing a unified government. He also noted the significance of engaging Libya’s major political factions in discussions aimed at facilitating the organization of elections to restore legitimacy to national institutions.
In a separate development, a meeting between Bathily and General Khalifa Haftar, Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA), took place in Benghazi. The discussions focused on the political situation and the preparation for elections in Libya. The LNA media office reported an agreement on creating a suitable environment for a democratic electoral process, with General Haftar expressing support for the UN’s efforts towards facilitating Libya’s democratic transition.
