By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL (TURKISH JOURNAL) – A major impasse in Libya peace negotiations is finally resolved, according to a top United Nations official on Libya. A new plan was proposed on Saturday, by an advisory committee of representatives for all three major diverse regions in Libya on moving forward to choose a transitional government that would see elections held, later this year. Ongoing talks in Geneva with the Libya Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) under the auspices of the UN, continue to seek a peaceful solution to the longstanding conflict in Libya.
Meanwhile, Acting Special Representative for Libya, Stephanie Williams, praised the advisory committee’s work at a news conference in Geneva, commenting that members: “have met their responsibility with a constructive spirit, cooperative efforts and a great deal of patriotism.”
In a recent press statement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also commended the LPDF advisory committee for “its constructive discussions” in Geneva that took place January 13-16. The secretary-general also praised what he termed as “the decisive role played by women representatives and the Southern members to forge consensus on a recommended mechanism for the selection of the executive authority, in accordance with the Roadmap adopted in Tunis last November.” Guterres has called on LPDF members to “participate constructively’ in the vote on the selection mechanism while encouraging the committee tto forge ahead on the path to national elections on December 24, 2021.
In addition, the secretary-general reiterated UN support for the Libyans in their effort to “advance peace and stability” in the conflict-ridden nation.
