UPDATE - Libya conference for election support, stability kicks off

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS; REVISED DECK

By Mohamed Artima

TRIPOLI, Libya (AA) - Libya’s prime minister on Thursday announced the start of a "stability and construction journey" in his country at the start of the International Conference to Support Libya's Stability in the capital Tripoli.

In his opening speech, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh said: "Tripoli has recovered. Today, we are holding a Libya stability conference in Libya."

"Your presence today is a strong message that the journey of stability and construction has begun," he said. "Today we appreciate your willingness to support the efforts of Libyans for a comprehensive solution to the crises that have afflicted our country in past years."

On the national elections scheduled for Dec. 24, Dbeibeh said: "I've clearly committed to supporting the electoral commission holding the elections on time."

Representatives of 27 countries and four regional and international organizations are taking part in the conference.

Since a popular revolution toppled the regime of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has faced a long civil war and recently moved to a transitional phase in search of stability.

Dbeibeh also said that a governmental committee was formed to support and implement the elections, stressing his government's hope to involve all regions of the country on the path to a peaceful and comprehensive political solution.

These elections may be hampered by current differences over the election laws between on the one hand the House of Representatives and on the other the Supreme Council of State and the unity government and the Presidential Council.

- Migration and stability

“The issue of illegal immigration is bothering us. We want your support on this issue,” Dbeibeh added.

In recent years, the coastal country of Libya has become a crucial point for African irregular migrants trying to get to Europe to flee poverty and conflicts in their countries.

"The Libyan people are committed to the option of peace and stability, and our meeting today confirms Libyans’ ability to establish a national political solution,” Dbeibeh said.

He stressed that country’s current stability is the only way to enable Libyans to complete the building of state institutions.

Also speaking at the conference, Foreign Minister Najla el-Mangoush said: "We need stability and political justice that guarantees the Libyan people the right to political participation."

"We are interested in accepting the results of the upcoming elections,” el-Mangoush said.

Rosemary DiCarlo, UN under-secretary-general for political affairs, said that the United Nations continues to support the holding of elections on time in preparation for unifying all Libyan institutions.

She added that the UN is working with its Libyan partners, represented in the "5 + 5" joint military committee, to monitor the implementation of the October 2020 ceasefire.

Amid efforts for Libya to move forward, putschist leader Khalifa Haftar is still acting independently of the legitimate government and leads an armed militia that controls many areas. He calls himself the "commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army,” contesting the Presidential Council's powers.