The United Nations’ political chief warned Wednesday that Libya could again see two rival administrations and a return to instability, calling for elections as soon as possible.
Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo told the U.N. Security Council she is encouraged by support for a U.N. initiative to convene a joint committee from Libya’s rival House of Representatives and High State Council with a goal of reaching agreement by both bodies “on a constitutional basis that would lead to elections this year.”
DiCarlo said U.N. special adviser on Libya, Stephanie Williams, on March 3 asked the House of Representatives speaker and High State Council president to appoint six members to the joint committee and both responded favorably. She said the council nominated its representatives on Tuesday and the U.N. expects the House of Representatives to do the same in the coming days.
Separately, DiCarlo said, Williams has offered to mediate between Dbeibah and Bashagha “to overcome the current political impasse.”