Libyans are looking towards the future with considerable optimism as a new political phase begins, aiming to resolve the nation’s crisis through a roadmap set to be implemented starting this fall and lasting for two years. This process aims to transition beyond interim stages and establish a final framework that can be agreed upon by conflicting parties and backed by the international community. The UN envoy to Libya, Hanaa Teeteh, confirmed that forming a unified government is a crucial step and a prerequisite for holding free and inclusive elections in the country.
In a recent online meeting with Libyan activists, she stated that the current situation in Libya has led to the emergence of various administrative bodies, making it impossible to conduct fair elections amid significant division. She emphasized the need for a unified government as the most vital measure for executing any future roadmap, positioning it as a strong partner to the international community in addressing the country’s pressing economic and security challenges.
Furthermore, the UN mission revealed the initial findings related to the preparation of the political solution roadmap, which calls for negotiations on a political agreement among the existing parties to form a new unified government responsible for overseeing elections and the election of new Parliamentary and Senate councils.
### Roadmap Provisions
The roadmap outlines that the elected Senate will adopt a permanent constitution within its four-year term. This constitution must receive a two-thirds majority approval, after which presidential elections will be held in accordance with the new permanent constitution. Additionally, it aims to avoid the extension of the transition period and sets the parliamentary term at four years, ensuring that it cannot alter this span or implement any other changes to the transitional arrangements specified in the provisional constitution.
The advisory committee emphasized the need for a political settlement between the main parties to create a conducive environment for elections. This includes the reformation of the National High Election Commission, granting the commission financial independence, amending the constitutional declaration, and updating electoral laws to ensure their effectiveness while reaching an agreement on a new executive authority with a fixed mandate and timeline.
### Political Acknowledgment
The committee also recommended granting political recognition to the new government, establishing a time-limited mandate, and creating a mechanism to evaluate the government’s performance, allowing for its dismissal if it fails to prepare for elections.
Additional recommendations included imposing restrictions on the interim government from entering into long-term financial or political commitments, adopting a national code of conduct for political activities during elections, forming an independent national body to oversee the electoral process, and establishing an early dispute resolution mechanism.
The United Nations mission continues its efforts to engage in direct and remote dialogue with political actors, civil society organizations, and various sectors of Libyan society, as well as with ambassadors from friendly and brotherly nations. This aim is to keep them informed about developments in the ongoing dialogue across multiple fronts and the key elements of the roadmap, which will be officially announced in mid-August by Mission Head Hanaa Teeteh during a special session of the Security Council.