The United Nations envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily alerted the Security Council on Monday to the risks of violent conflict involved by a unilateral appointment of a government by any of the rival Libyan parties.
Bathily explained, in a briefing to the Security Council, that the 6+6 Committee, which was jointly established by the Libyan House of Representatives and High Council of State to draft electoral laws, has “registered some progress” as it completed its work in early October.
However, he expressed concern that some legislative articles agreed upon by the committee could cause potential dispute, specifically the formation of a new government to organize the elections.
Bathily acknowledged that “creating a level playing field for all candidates requires a unified cabinet that enjoys public trust to lead the country to elections.” However, he noted that in order to avoid a repeat of the August 2022 crisis unleashed by the parliament’s unilateral appointment of the Fathi Bashaga government, it is necessary for this government to be the outcome of political negotiations amongst major players.
He also noted that the rejection of the amendments made by the 6+6 Committee by the High Council of State “constitutes a political option that risks jeopardizing the hard-won gains of the two Chambers.”
The U.N. diplomat called on the Security Council to use its influence to “prevent this dangerous occurrence and mobilize the Libyan parties for dialogue.”
He also called on I call on all Libyan stakeholders “to meet and agree on a binding political settlement towards a peaceful electoral process, the backbone of which will be a unified government to lead Libya to elections.”