Libya’s United Nations-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj welcomed the general elections to be held in December next year, reported CGTN Africa.
“The president of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord welcomes the outcomes reached by the participants of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) held in Tunisia from 7-15 November, which include setting a date for holding presidential and parliamentary elections on December 24, 2021,” Serraj said in a statement.
In the statement, Serraj also expressed full support for the elections saying that funds will be allocated for the elections.
According to a statement released by the UN Support Mission in Libya on Monday, 75 Libyan representatives consensually agreed on a plan to conduct credible, inclusive, and democratic national elections during the LPDF.
Last week, the UN selected 75 delegates from Libya to take part in the week-long forum at a luxury hotel in Gammarth, just outside the capital of Tunis.
On Friday, during a virtual press conference Friday, acting UN envoy Stephanie Williams said participants at the talks in Tunisia agreed to hold national elections in Libya on December 24, 2021. The election date holds a symbolic value as it will mark the 70th anniversary since Libya declared independence.
As per reports, the talks ended without naming a new government to oversee the transition stage until the possible elections next year.
On Monday, the acting UN envoy to Libya, Stephanie Williams indicated that the participants in the Libyan dialogue will resume virtual talks next week.
The talks follow a ceasefire agreed between the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) and renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar’s eastern-based self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) last month.
Haftar’s Eastern Libya forces launched an offensive in April 2019 to capture Libya’s capital Tripoli. Hundreds of people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced due to the fighting. The two warring sides are supported by local militias, as well as regional and foreign powers.
