The United Nations (UN) special adviser for Libya, Stephanie Williams, on Wednesday called for organizing free and fair elections in Libya in the shortest possible time, reported CGTN Africa.
On Twitter, Williams said she met Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, the prime minister of the Government of National Unity, and also Fathi Bashagha, appointed by the east-based parliament to head a new government.
William’s meeting with Bashagha touched on efforts to form the proposed government in a transparent and fair manner. The newly-appointed prime minister said he is keen on the stability of the security situation and committing to the constitutional frameworks and timelines set for holding the elections.
“I reiterated the importance for all actors and institutions to work within the political framework and, above all, to preserve calm on the ground in the interest of Libya’s unity and stability,” the UN official wrote on Twitter.
She also said the UN is committed to raising the voices of the 2.8 million Libyans who registered to vote. Notably, the UN still recognizes Dbeibah as Libya’s interim prime minister.
The appointment of a new prime minister is feared to spark a new power struggle between the eastern-based assembly and Dbeibah’s administration based in Tripoli, in western Libya.
Dbeibah, who was appointed a year ago as part of United Nations-led peace efforts, has vowed only to hand power to a government produced by the ballot box. His government had a mandate to lead the country to elections on Dec. 24, but they were canceled amid bitter divisions over their legal basis and the candidacies of several controversial figures.
He has rejected the eastern-based rival parliament’s move last week to appoint former interior minister Bashagha to head a new government.
Dbeibah emphasized during his meeting with the UN special adviser the need to complete the roadmap approved in Geneva. He said all parties are responsible for creating the appropriate conditions for holding national elections and holding a referendum on the constitution this year.
