Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Hanna Tetteh, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), in Cairo on September 30. Abdelatty stressed the importance of ending Libya's transitional period and moving forward with presidential and legislative elections. This stance aligns with a previous agreement between Libyan parties under UN auspices, which aims to hold elections within 24 months.
The agreement, reached in late August, outlines initial steps for a roadmap to elections, including the reconstitution of the High National Electoral Commission and resolving pending issues related to the electoral process. Approved by the Libyan House of Representatives in September, the plan stipulates that presidential and legislative elections will be held under a single executive authority within 24 months, although no specific date has been set.
Abdelatty also emphasized the need for unified Libyan state institutions to preserve the country's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. This position was previously expressed during a meeting with Tetteh and counterparts from Algeria and Tunisia at the fourth ministerial meeting of the tripartite mechanism for Libya's neighboring countries, held in Cairo on May 21.
Tetteh shared progress made in implementing the roadmap and efforts to resolve pending issues related to the constitutional and legal framework governing elections. Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's support for UN efforts toward a comprehensive political solution, emphasizing that it must be led by the Libyans themselves.
Egypt, which shares a long border with Libya, continues to support the UN's role in finding a political and institutional solution to the Libyan crisis. The country has been closely following developments in its western neighbor, where a prolonged political transition has hindered national elections for several years.
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) obtained an agreement between Libyan parties in late August on initial steps for its roadmap, including the reconstitution of the High National Electoral Commission and resolving pending electoral issues. This progress aims to overcome years of impasse that have prevented national elections.
Egypt's call for accelerated elections in Libya underscores the importance of advancing the political process and stabilizing the region. The situation in Libya remains a priority for Egypt, given their shared border and Egypt's commitment to a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Key points
- Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty urges accelerated elections in Libya.
- The elections aim to end Libya's transitional period and establish a unified government.
- Egypt supports UN efforts toward a comprehensive political solution in Libya.
