The Libyan political crisis over control of executive power is likely to result in instability and parallel governments, the UN political affairs chief told the Security Council on Wednesday, reported UN News.
Rosemary Dicarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, said Libya is witnessing a new phase of political polarization that risks dividing its institutions once again and reversing the gains achieved over the past two years.
Dicarlo called out Security Council members to convey the UN’s conviction to Libyan parties that credible, transparent, and inclusive elections are the only solution to the stalemate.
She also called on Libyan leaders to demonstrate responsibility and remain united behind UN efforts to assist the North African country on its path to peace and stability.
“We know from experience what unilateral actions, divided government, and an unending transition may hold in store for Libya,” Dicarlo told the council.
Libya got engulfed in political turmoil after the government failed to hold presidential elections in Dec. last year. The presidential elections were meant to be followed by parliamentary elections a few weeks later.
The elections were delayed amid bitter divisions over electoral laws, including the voting timetable, the eligibility of the main candidates, and the eventual powers of the next president and Parliament.
The Libyan parliament declared the interim unity government that was meant to oversee the run-up to elections as expired, and appointed Fathi Bashagha as the new prime minister this month. But the unity government’s Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah has refused to cede power. The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum elected Dbeibah to head the interim government in 2021.
The United Nations is now working to resolve the crisis by pushing for new elections soon. The international body has asked political bodies to join a committee to resolve constitutional and legal disputes and make way for elections.
