Moin Kikhia Says to Run for Libya's Unified Government

Moin Kikhia, the Founder of the Libyan Democratic Institute, announced on Friday his candidacy  for the proposed temporary Unified Executive Authority.

in a tweet, Kikhia said: "I have submitted my Candidacy for the post of Prime Minister in the proposed temporary Unified Executive Authority."

He urged that the proposed interim government must be nonpolitical and technocratic. "This interim government must be nonpolitical and technocratic, representing our unified country,' he said." "I am humbled by the support I have already received," Kikhia added.

In another tweet, he added: "It is of the highest importance that the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) exercise extreme vigilance against any attempt to manipulate the vote next week. With such a small “electorate” there is a real risk of covert, corrupt intervention."

Kikhia is a businessman and political activist. He was one of the former supporters of Muammar Gaddafi's regime.

It is scheduled that the elections will be held on December 24, 2021, as agreed by the Libyan parties.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has announced the commencement of the week of candidacies submission for the positions of the three-member Presidency Council and Prime Minister, closing on January 28, as part of the preparatory phase that will lead to the elections scheduled for December 24.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced on Jan.19 that the members of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum approved the new mechanism of selecting the Executive Authority proposed by the advisory committee, explaining that it obtained 73 percent of the votes, exceeding the required minimum set by the advisory committee, which is 63 percent of the votes.

Earlier in January, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has officially named Slovakian Jan Kubis as his special envoy for Libya and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

In a statement, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres said, "United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Ján Kubiš as his Special Envoy on Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

"Kubis will take up his post in early February. Acting special representative Stephanie Williams of the United States will stay on through January to ensure a smooth transfer of responsibilities," the Spokesman noted.