The United Nations Security Council has given the green light for the deployment of 60 UN ceasefire monitors to Libya and called on the country’s new unity government to prepare for free, fair and inclusive elections on December 24.
The resolution also called on Libya’s newly appointed Government of National Unity (GNU) to prepare for “free, fair and inclusive national” elections later this year in December.
“Free, fair and credible elections will allow the Libyan people to elect a representative and unified government and reinforce the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya,” the resolution says.
It further called to “ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and the inclusion of youth.”
Jan Kubis, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s special envoy for Libya, urged Libyan lawmakers on March 24 to pass necessary legislation by July “at the latest” so that the elections can be held as planned, and Friday’s resolution says the legislation should be in place no later than July 1.
In the meantime, “a forward presence” will be formed in the capital, Tripoli, “as soon as circumstances permit.”