Tripoli_ The current political situation in Libya was the focus of a meeting today at the Foreign Minister’s office in Tripoli. The meeting discussed the strategy of the Government of National Unity (GNU) with regard to holding general national elections and ending the transitional phase in Libya that has continued since 2011.
The meeting was attended by Libya Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Taher Al-Baour, the Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs at the GNU in Tripoli, Mr. Walid Al-Lafi, and UNSMIL’s Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Political Affairs, Officer-in-Charge of UNSMIL, Stephanie Koury, according to the FM’s Facebook page.
The meeting shed light on the latest councils of municipals’ elections and viewed them as a prelude to the coming general national elections. The success or shortcomings of local municipal elections could very well mirror what will happen in the future. The organizing of municipal elections last week is seen as a fundamental step towards strengthening local governance and an indication to political participation of Libyan citizens in all regions.
On 24 November, the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) announcement the preliminary results for the 58 Municipalities that took part in the elections. It said there had been a significant turnout of over 77% of registered voters. The second phase of these elections will take place in 2025.
The meeting discussed the plebiscites issue and how these referendums could enhance national survey mechanisms in order to support upcoming political choices and how they may increase political participation and insure the integrity and transparency of the process, according to the FM’s Facebook page.
There are conflicting views of this plebiscite process between the House of Representatives and the Presidential Council (PC) as the former considers the very decision by the PC to establish Referendum and National Inquiry Commission (RNIC) in August 2024 as a was against the Geneva Agreement between the Libyan parties which calls for consensus and should be withdrawn.
Meanwhile, the PC and the GNU are in full support of the RNIC and want to implement its mechanisms to achieve their political objectives.
UNSMIL praised the HNEC for the holding of these elections as well as the Libyan security institutions in helping to ensure a safe and peaceful environment in which the voters could cast their ballots.
The meeting also stressed the importance of strengthening the partnership between the GNU AND UNSMIL to advance the political process in line with the aspirations of the Libyan people.