Libyans are looking forward with optimism as a new political phase begins, aimed at pulling the country from its ongoing crisis through a roadmap expected to be implemented starting next fall, extending over two years. This plan is set to facilitate the transition beyond interim stages and determine the final structure agreed upon by the involved parties, supported by the international community. The UN envoy to Libya, Hana Titiye, emphasized that establishing a unified government is a critical step and a necessary condition for conducting fair and comprehensive elections in the country.
During an online meeting with Libyan activists, she stated that the current situation in Libya has given rise to various administrative bodies, making the conduct of fair elections impossible amidst significant division. Titiye underscored that a unified government is essential for the execution of any future roadmap, allowing it to be a strong partner for the international community in addressing the pressing economic and security challenges facing the nation.
Moreover, the UN mission revealed initial results in preparing the political solution roadmap, which calls for negotiations on a political agreement with existing parties to form a new unified government responsible for overseeing elections, alongside the election of a new House of Representatives and Senate.
### Roadmap Provisions
The roadmap includes the election of a Senate that will adopt a permanent constitution during its four-year term. It is required that the constitution be ratified by a two-thirds majority, following which presidential elections will be conducted under the new permanent constitution. Furthermore, there is a strong emphasis on avoiding an extension of the transitional period, with a defined parliamentary term of four years, prohibiting any alterations to the duration of this term or other changes to the transitional arrangements stipulated in the interim constitution.
The advisory committee has called for the establishment of a political settlement among key parties to create a suitable environment for elections. This includes restructuring the National Election Commission to ensure its financial independence, making necessary amendments to the constitutional declaration, revising electoral laws for their practicality, and reaching an agreement on a new executive authority with a defined mandate and timeframe.
### Political Recognition
The committee also recommended political recognition of the new government, complete with a specific timeframe and an evaluation mechanism to assess its performance, allowing for its dismissal should it fail to prepare for elections.
Furthermore, it proposed restrictions on the temporary government’s engagement in long-term financial or political commitments, the adoption of a national code of conduct during elections, the establishment of an independent national body to monitor the electoral process, and the creation of a national arbitration mechanism for early resolution of disputes.
The UN mission continues to open channels for direct and remote dialogue with political actors, civil society organizations, and various segments of Libyan society, along with ambassadors from friendly states, to keep them updated on the ongoing discussions across multiple platforms and the main outlines of the roadmap. This roadmap is set to be officially announced in mid-August by the Head of the mission, Hana Titiye, during a special session of the Security Council.