Top UN official in Libya welcomes Presidential Council's support for her elections initiative

Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Libya, Stephanie Williams, has commended the Libyan Presidential Council and the international community for their support for her initiative to establish a consensual constitutional basis for general elections.

Mediation between the Parliament and the High Council of State through the formation of a 12-member joint committee with equal representation between the two chambers was proposed by her with a view to drafting a constitutional basis within two weeks to hold the elections as soon as possible.

This tribute from Mrs Williams was expressed in a tweet on Thursday regarding her participation in the Presidential Council meeting with ambassadors of countries involved in the political track in Libya and the Berlin 1 and 2 process.

"I was satisfied with my participation via video conference yesterday," the UN official said of the meeting held on Wednesday by Libyan Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed Al-Manfi and Vice Chairman Abdallah Al-Lafi.

She expressed gratitude for the strong support expressed by the Presidential Council and the international community for the initiative to facilitate a meeting between Parliament and the High Council of State.

Ms. Williams added: "The importance of the UN initiative lies in getting Libya back on track to hold elections, which is based on a solid constitutional foundation."

She explained that the initiative is taking place "with Libyan leadership and ownership", praising the Presidential Council for sending "consistent and coherent messages" calling for unity and maintaining calm, in addition to efforts on the issue of national reconciliation.

The chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council reiterated the Council's support to the initiative of the Special Adviser, stressing that "the solution in Libya is political and not legal, starting with the Skhirat Agreement to the Berlin and Geneva Dialogue tracks".

The political crisis in Libya has worsened with the existence of two competing governments, that of the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdelhamid Al-Dbaiba, and that of the Prime Minister appointed by Parliament, Fathi Bachagha.

-0- PANA BY/IS/BBA/MA 17March2022