The UN Security Council threatens to punish those obstructing the political process in Libya

The UN Security Council threatened to impose sanctions on anyone who obstructs the holding of long-awaited elections in Libya, calling on all parties to participate in the political track without conditions.

Council members (15 countries) said in a statement, “Individuals or entities who threaten peace, stability, or security in Libya, or obstruct or undermine the successful completion of the political transition process by obstructing or undermining elections, may be included on the Security Council’s sanctions lists.”

They affirmed their “strong commitment to a comprehensive political process led and owned by Libyans, facilitated by the United Nations, and based on the updated electoral laws approved by the 6+6 Committee.”

Although provisions in the electoral laws face opposition from parties?? However, on October 3, the House of Representatives announced its approval to issue these laws, which were approved by the joint “6+6” committee with the Supreme Council of State (consultative parliamentary), according to which the head of state and the National Assembly (parliament) would be elected.

The members of the Security Council stressed their “support for the efforts of (Abdullah Batili), the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (of the United Nations in Libya), to meet with the relevant Libyan institutions to support progress towards holding presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible.”
They called on “all key stakeholders to fully engage with Batelli in good faith and without preconditions, and to make the necessary concessions to move the country forward towards elections.”

On November 23, Batelli invited the main institutional parties to participate in a meeting, which has not yet been held, to reach a settlement on politically contentious issues related to holding elections in the oil-rich country.
What is meant by institutional parties is: the Presidential Council, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Council of State, the Government of National Unity, and the Commander of the Eastern Forces, Khalifa Haftar.

Regarding the security situation, members of the Security Council expressed “concern in light of the increasing tensions in Libya, including the spread of armed militias.”

They renewed the call for “the withdrawal of all foreign forces, foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya without delay, in line with the provisions of the ceasefire agreement signed on October 23, 2020.”

They stressed “the importance of a comprehensive reconciliation process based on the principles of transitional justice and accountability,” and welcomed “the efforts of the Presidential Council to launch the national reconciliation process, with the support of the African Union, including facilitating the holding of a national reconciliation conference next April 28 in the city of Sirte (east).” .

The Libyans hope to hold elections to end conflicts and divisions that have been embodied since the beginning of 2022 in the presence of two governments, one headed by Osama Hammad and appointed by the House of Representatives (east), and the other recognized by the United Nations and headquartered in the capital, Tripoli (west), which is the national unity government headed by Abdul Hamid Al-Dabaiba.