Western countries have reiterated support to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in the conflict-hit Libya as early as possible, reported The Anadolu Agency.
The call was made in a joint statement issued by the representatives of five Western countries including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy and Germany in Libya following their closed meeting on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The representatives of the five countries expressed their support for Special Representative of the Secretary-General Abdoulaye Bathily as he takes up his mandate to advance political stability and reconciliation among Libyans.
They stressed on the importance of having a transparent management of oil revenues and agreeing on a unified executive with a mandate focused on preparing for elections in Libya.
The five Western countries also strongly rejected any use of violence and reiterated their support for full implementation of the cease-fire agreement signed in October 2020 between the rival Libyan factions.
Recently, the United Nations chief urged Libya’s political rivals to preserve peace at all costs and agree on legal changes to pave way for the elections.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also strongly encouraged world powers and countries that have interests in the North African country to meet again in Berlin, saying that the previous meetings of key players were “the most useful international instrument that we had to avoid the worst.”
Libya has remained in turmoil since 2011 when longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi was ousted after being in power for four long decades.
The situation in the oil-rich country has worsened since March when East Libya-based Parliament appointed a new government led by former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha, but Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, leader of the Tripoli-based National Unity Government, refused to step down.
He continue to insist that he will cede authority only to a government that comes through an elected parliament.
