The United Nations will likely delay a planned conference on elections in Libya until later this year until it receives the support of the country’s rival factions, informed sources revealed Thursday according to Reuters.
The national meeting is central to a UN and Western roadmap for a vote in Libya as a way out of its eight-year war since the ouster of former ruler Moammar al-Gaddafi.
But big players and their allied armed groups wield considerable power under the status quo, and there is mistrust between rival governments and parliaments.
More delay in the UN-sponsored conference, where Libyans from all walks of society are supposed to decide details of their elections such as the presidential or parliamentary system, would also probably push back an actual vote.
Under a French plan, Libya was meant to hold elections last December 10, but that was shelved due to divisions among rival leaders and a spike in violence in the capital Tripoli.
In a new push, UN Libya envoy Ghassan Salame wanted a conference in “the first weeks of 2019” with potential polls by June. But momentum for that has been lost due to resistance from major parties backing the parallel governments in Tripoli and the east who benefit from access to oil revenues and jobs for armed groups in the absence of police.
Sources familiar with the UN plans told Reuters the conference could still happen by the end of February, but a delay until at least March looked more likely.
“Salame won’t announce a venue and date ahead until he thinks there is enough support from all sides,” one source said.
The UN mission in Libya said it was seeking a successful meeting but no date was set yet. “We plan for the conference to happen as soon as possible,” it said in a statement to Reuters.
Diplomats say the conference is a “last joker” in the pack for Salame who has toiled since September 2017 for elections.
Meanwhile, the US administration renewed its support for the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord of Fayez al-Sarraj.
During a visit to Misrata Wednesday, US Ambassador to Libya Peter Bodde stated that Washington remains committed to a stable, unified Libya able to counter terrorism and deliver security and prosperity for all Libyans.
The envoy held talks in the city with Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga, Central Military Zone Commander Major-General Mohammad Haddad and other military officials, said the US embassy in Libya in a statement.
The meeting was held shortly after a vague Interior Ministry warning over militias operating in Tripoli.
It said that it opposes any armed group that violates the security arrangements in place in the capital, adding that they will be held accountable for their actions.
The ministry did not identify any of the militias it was referring to in its warning.
