The countries of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States of America welcomed in a statement on Friday evening the progress made in the talks between the joint committee of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State in Cairo, facilitated by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. They called on the House of Representatives and the High Council of State to urgently finalize the legal basis for holding credible, transparent and inclusive presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible.
The five countries said in their statement that the roadmap specified the end of the transitional phase on June 22, on the condition that presidential and parliamentary elections be held on December 24, 2021, which did not happen. They stressed the need for a unified Libyan government capable of governing, conducting and achieving these elections in all the country and through dialogue and settlement, as quickly as possible.
The statement underlined the rejection of measures that may lead to violence or more divisions in Libya, such as the establishment of parallel institutions, attempts of any kind to seize power by force, or the rejection of the peaceful transfer of power to a new executive authority to be formed through a legitimate and transparent process.
Moreover, the five countries urged the Libyan political leaders to engage constructively in the negotiations, including through the good offices of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, to break the executive impasse and agree on a path for elections.
The statement emphasized that Libya’s resources must be managed in a transparent, responsible and accountable manner across the country and for the benefit of the Libyan people. It urged Libya’s leaders to agree on spending priorities and establish a common revenue management and oversight structure.
The Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, welcomed the statement and considered it consistent with his position rejecting violence, seizing power by force or creating any parallel bodies, in addition to being in line with the international position, which resolved the issue of the Libyan parties’ continuity of work in accordance with the decisions of the political agreement. He stressed the importance of holding elections in accordance with a constitutional rule. He also renewed his government’s commitment to continuing the policy of disclosure and transparency about government spending.
On his side, the Libyan Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha, also welcomed the statement, especially the call for a unified Libyan government capable of ruling and holding elections throughout the country. He added that, as the head of the elected and supported by the House of Representatives and the State government, he looks forward to working side by side with those countries and all Arab and African friends countries to rebuild Libya and lead it to national elections as soon as possible.