On 20 July, the United Nations Mission in Libya (UNMIL) urged members of the House of Representatives and the Supreme State Council to adopt an ‘inclusive approach’ to reach a concrete solution. This statement follows the second meeting of the inter-Libyan talks, held in Cairo on 18 July.
At this meeting, 130 representatives of the two councils agreed to draw up a roadmap for the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections, which are essential for the formation of a unified government. UNMIL stressed the importance of an inclusive approach, saying that ‘such measures must be comprehensive and include a clear path to elections’.
The UN welcomed efforts to reach a Libyan consensus, facilitating a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process leading to national elections. The House of Representatives and the High State Council have also agreed to work towards broadening the consensus and holding elections in accordance with the laws agreed and published by the House of Representatives.
The need to intensify and unify efforts to end the political and institutional division in Libya, as well as the importance of national reconciliation and societal peace in achieving stability in the country, were highlighted at the meeting.
On 18 July, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aguila Salah, announced the start of procedures to form a unified government.
However, the Libyan national unity government led by Abdelhamid Dbeibah has yet to react. Dbeibah has repeatedly stated that he will not step down until elections are held, despite pressure from the Benghazi parliament to form a new government.
MN/te/fss/as/APA