721 candidates registered so far for Libya's Dec. 24 parliamentary elections

By Walid Abdullah

TRIPOLI, Libya (AA) – A total of 721 candidates have so far registered to run in Libya’s Dec. 24 parliamentary elections, the country’s electoral commission said on Tuesday.

This list came in a daily report issued by the commission on its Facebook page regarding the registration process, which will continue through Nov. 22.

Early on Tuesday, Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar announced a bid to seek the presidency. To date putschist Haftar has been an impediment to the country's democratic processes.

Libya’s presidential and parliamentary elections are set to take place on Dec. 24 under an UN-sponsored agreement reached by Libyan political rivals at meetings in Tunisia last November.

The oil-rich country’s electoral commission on Nov. 8 opened registration for candidates in the polls despite ongoing tensions between the parliament, the High Council of State, and the unity government regarding electoral powers and laws.

Libyans hope the looming elections will help end an armed conflict that has plagued the oil-rich country for years.

* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat