\n<\/p>\n
Stephanie Koury, Deputy Special Representative for Libya and acting head of the UN Support Mission in the country, UNSMIL, briefed ambassadors on the initiative a day after presenting it to the population.<\/p>\n
The UN-facilitated process involves establishing an advisory committee to review outstanding issues in the electoral laws and make viable proposals for an overall roadmap for the holding of the vote.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The committee will be composed of \u201cexperts and respected personalities, who are reflective of the spectrum of Libyan political forces, social, cultural and geographical components,\u201d she said, speaking via videoconference.\u00a0<\/p>\n
UNSMIL also intends to work with Libyan partners to convene a structured dialogue to consolidate consensus around a unified national vision for the future of the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnsuring full, equal and meaningful participation of all segments of society \u2013 particularly youth and women \u2013 remain UNSMIL\u2019s priority to fostering inclusivity, building national unity and enhancing the legitimacy of the political process<\/strong>,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is my hope that this process can build an important legacy and support the conclusion of the constitution-making process down the road.\u201d<\/p>\n Libya has been in political turmoil since the overthrow of former President, the late Muammar Gadaffi, in 2011.<\/p>\n The country has been split between two rival administrations since 2014, with the internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) based in the northwest, and the Government of National Stability (GNS), which is located in the east.<\/p>\n Landmark elections were set to be held in December 2021 but scrapped due to several factors, including disputes over the eligibility of candidates.<\/p>\n Ms. Koury began her remarks by congratulating the Libyan people on the successful holding of the first phase of local elections on 16 November.<\/p>\n \u201cThe holding of these elections is a reminder that the Libyan people yearn to exercise their right to select those who govern them<\/strong>,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The top official took up her post eight months ago. Since then, she has \u201cmet Libyans from all walks of life and they have repeatedly conveyed to me a sense of urgency and to hold national elections.\u201d<\/p>\n She told the Council that Libyans are anxious about their country\u2019s future.<\/p>\n \u201cThe status quo is unsustainable and has persisted for too long,\u201d she said, noting that \u201cunilateral actions pursued by political elites have deeply eroded Libya\u2019s institutions into parallel and competing structures.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a9 UNICEF\/Giovanni Diffidenti<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A boy runs past damaged buildings, defaced by shelling during the conflict, on his way home from shopping, in the city of Sirte.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Ms. Koury said she is mindful of mounting challenges that must be overcome.\u00a0<\/p>\n She described the recent reinstatement of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank as \u201can important milestone\u201d, following resolution of a stand-off over leadership and its suspension for over a decade.<\/p>\n \u201cTo effectively implement monetary policy and contribute to economic stabilization, the Central Bank leadership and Board must be free to act independently, transparently and with integrity<\/strong>, without conflicts of interests, in concert with other oversight institutions,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, arbitrary arrests and detention persist, and she urged the authorities to grant UNSMIL unimpeded access to all detention centres.<\/p>\n \u201cI am very concerned about deaths in custody,\u201d she added.\u00a0 \u201cSince I last briefed the Council, four Libyans, including two women, have died in custody. Transparent investigations into these deaths are needed and those responsible must be held accountable<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n Furthermore, regional instability is also having a grave impact on Libya. She said that since the start of the conflict in neighbouring Sudan in April 2023, \u201can exponentially growing number of Sudanese refugees\u201d have crossed the border, with an average of 400 to 500 arrivals a day.<\/p>\n Having presented her plan to the Council, Ms. Koury urged the international community to support it.<\/p>\nA decade of division<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Libyans want national elections<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Challenges to overcome<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Arbitrary detentions and regional instability<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\u2018Seize the opportunity\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n