International and European support continues, and the United Nations emphasis on holding the next elections as scheduled for next December, according to what was stipulated in the roadmap emanating from the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum last November in Tunis.
United Nations affirmation
The head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Jan Kubis, called for the need to agree on a clear constitutional base and legal framework for the elections by next July, to ensure that elections are held on December 24 of this year.
During his speech, via video call to the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, Friday, Kubis called on the legal committee of the forum to speed up its work and be able to complete it relatively soon in order to contribute to providing the appropriate climate for the elections.
Kubis warned that the UN mission is working with the High National Elections Commission on a number of files of a technical nature that should allow elections to be held with the necessary quality on time.
European support
The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell announced the EU’s readiness to provide the necessary support for holding the elections next December.
In a phone call with the head of the National Unity Government, Abdul Hamid Dbaiba, Borrell suggested working with Libya in the areas of joint security through the Irini maritime operation, in addition to contributing to institution building, economic governance, and maintaining the continuation of the ceasefire.
Italy, France and Germany
During their meeting with Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbaiba and his Foreign Minister Najla Al-Manqoush in Tripoli on the 25th of this March, the foreign ministers of France, Italy and Germany affirmed their countries’ support for the upcoming elections and to preserve the ceasefire agreement signed by the 5 + 5 Joint Military Committee last October in Geneva.
Hurghada meetings
The Constitutional Committee consisting of members of the House of Representatives and the Supreme Council of the State held 3 meetings, in Hurghada, Egypt, the first in September, the second in January, and the third in February, where it was agreed to start holding the referendum on the constitution first, while the Supreme Council of State approved the outputs of Hurghada. The House of Representatives did not take the same step until now.
The time limit is 60 days
The Constitutional Committee at the Political Dialogue Forum last December set a 60-day deadline for consensus between the House of Representatives and the Supreme Council of State on the constitutional basis on which the elections will be held.
Before July
The head of the High Electoral Commission had warned, last January, that the deadline for receiving the laws necessary to conduct the electoral process is next July.
