UN, US Confirm Support for Holding Elections in Libya

Abdoulaye Bathily, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General for Libya, as well as senior representatives from Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Turkey, the UAE, and the UK were reportedly hosted by the US on Thursday to discuss the Libyan people's demand for presidential and parliamentary elections.

Prior to addressing the UN Security Council, Special Representative Bathily provided participants with an update on his discussions with Libyan institutions and leaders to foster consensus that will lead to elections in 2023, according to the US Department of State.

The US Department of State said that participants discussed next steps for concluding election preparations and took note of the progress made by the Libyan House of Representatives and High Council of State in Egypt-facilitated negotiations on a constitutional foundation for elections.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman emphasised US agreement with SRSG Bathily that Washington should assist in making 2023 the year of free and fair elections in Libya in her speech to the visiting officials.