Western embassies in Libya call for free and fair December polls

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) - The embassies of the US, France, Germany, Italy and the UK in Libya in a joint statement Sunday called on all Libyan actors to ensure "inclusive, free and fair" parliamentary and presidential elections on Dec. 24.

The embassies joined the call of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Libya, Jan Kubis, who in his briefing to the UN Security Council on Sept. 10 said the failure to hold scheduled elections in Libya could renew conflict in the country and harm efforts to unite the nation after a decade of turmoil.

"Such elections, as determined in the Roadmap of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) in Tunis in November 2020 and asserted in UNSC Resolution 2570, are an essential step in further stabilizing and uniting Libya, and their results should be respected by all," the joint statement said.

The statement also highlighted that all actors should recognize that "now is the time to engage and finalize" the electoral framework, taking into account all legitimate concerns of the Libyan people.

"We stand ready to support, at their request, the interim Libyan authorities in the organization of the elections, including through raising awareness among voters and educating the public regarding the fight against disinformation during the electoral campaign. We remain committed, also, to women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in Libyan elections, as voters, candidates and decision-makers in the political process," it said.

It also commended the Libyan parties for their readiness "to turn the page," put behind them past conflicts and take serious steps towards the unification of Libyan institutions and ending the political transition.

"We call for the full compliance of all actors with UNSC sanctions, including through national implementation measures against those who are found to be in breach of the UNSC arms embargo or the cease-fire, threaten the peace, stability or security of Libya or obstruct or undermine the successful completion of its political transition, including those undermining elections planned for in the LPDF Roadmap," it concluded.