UN Adviser Calls for Consensus on Libya's Constitutional Election Framework

In her opening remarks for the second session of the joint committee of the Libyan House of Representatives and the High Council of State to determine the constitutional arrangements for elections, UN Special Adviser on Libya, Stephanie Williams, said that “Delays and an open-ended process will not work and will inevitably lead to further pision and conflict from where it will be much harder to bring Libya back on the path to stability.”

Williams reminded the two parties that time is quickly running out, and the Libyan people, more than ever, want the stability that can only be realized with the holding of national elections on the basis of a sound and consensual constitutional framework.

She expressed her “deepest gratitude” to the meeting’s host, the government of Egypt, for their gracious welcome, provision of services, and facilities to enable this meeting, explaining that their support builds on a long tradition of positive engagement of regional partners that is key to ensuring a stable future for Libya and, therefore, the region.

The UN Adviser noted that the work of the committee started on 13 April and it should complete its work by 28 May – a total of 45 days.

Williams pointed out that the Libyan people are tired of war and endless competition over control of the executive power and Libya’s economic resources and want to choose their representatives so that their long-awaited dream of stability and prosperity can finally be achieved.

“I look forward to working with you to facilitate a much-anticipated agreement on these key questions in just under a week’s time,” she addressed the delegations.

“One month has passed since our last meeting and Libya remains at this critical inflection point, at which the only remaining solution is to move towards inclusive, fair, transparent, and credible national elections in order to respect the will of the 2.8 million Libyan citizens who registered to vote,” Williams said.

“All other solutions have been tried and tested, from war to power-sharing arrangements, to different governments, and none of them have worked. This should serve as a key lesson and reminder to us that we have to respect and help realize the political rights of the Libyan people to choose their leaders through the ballot box,” she added.

“In this new round of talks, my team and I look forward to helping you facilitate further agreement on the delicate, challenging questions and core components of the constitutional framework – such as the political system, eligibility criteria, and electoral timeline – so that, by the time we finish our time here, the pathway forward is crystal clear”

The UN adviser stressed that “this session is rife with opportunity to transform the goal of national elections into a reality for all, as we know that Libya cannot continue without the constitutional guardrails for an electoral process that clearly defines milestones and timelines going forward.”