UN Council Expected to Back Elections in Libya in December

United Nations, Jun 6 (AP) The UN Security Council is expected to give its backing today to the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya in December.

The council has scheduled a meeting to adopt a French-drafted presidential statement that would welcome "the momentum generated" by an international conference on Libya hosted by President Emmanuel Macron on May 29.

Libya plunged into chaos following a 2011 uprising that toppled and later killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Since 2014, the country has been split between rival governments and parliaments based in the western and eastern regions, each backed by different militias and tribes.

The draft presidential statement would put the Security Council on record saying that "the current political and security situation in Libya is not sustainable." And it would note "the resounding call of all Libyans for credible, inclusive and peaceful elections in order to achieve a united and stable Libya." At the Paris conference, rival Libyan leaders agreed on a political roadmap leading to elections on December 10.

The draft presidential statement welcomes their commitment "to work constructively with the UN to organize credible and peaceful parliamentary and presidential elections, and to respect the results." It also welcomes the parties' recognition "of the importance of developing a constitutional basis for elections."

The statement further recognizes the key role of UN envoy Ghassan Salame "in consulting with Libyan parties to set the constitutional basis for elections and to adopt the necessary laws." The draft notes the commitment of parties to the Paris agreement "to organize an inclusive political conference" under UN auspices to follow up on implementation of the roadmap.

It would also express concern at the humanitarian situation in Libya, especially in Derna where clashes have been ongoing since April, and would call on all parties "to exercise restraint." (AP) AQS

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