Libyen

Libya’s political class should stop conducting musical chairs to stay in power and focus instead on preparing for nationwide elections to be held by June, the special adviser to the UN secretary general has said. Stephanie Williams also warned of a possible resurgence of Islamic State if Libya were to fall back into total division.

A confidential European Union military report calls for continuing a controversial EU program to train and equip Libya’s coast guard and navy despite growing concerns about their treatment of migrants, a mounting death toll at sea, and the continued lack of any central authority in the North African nation.

A Libyan parliament committee said on Monday the chamber should choose a new interim prime minister, a move that could set major factions against each other in the wake of a failed election.

The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, called on Libyan parties to work together to hold inclusive and credible elections as soon as possible, stressing the need for the complete withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign forces.

The UN Secretary General’s Advisor on Libya, Stephanie Williams, has told the Associated Press that she is pushing for Libya to hold elections by June after the country messed out on December 24 vote

The UN Secretary General’s Advisor on Libya, Stephanie Williams, told CNN on Tuesday that Libya elections should be held before the end of June 2022.

Around 300 foreign mercenaries have left eastern Libya, the French Foreign Ministry said, as it welcomed the start of the gradual withdrawal of thousands of foreign forces that have fought on both sides of the conflict in the country.

Libya's parliament said Friday's planned presidential election would not go ahead, leaving the internationally-backed peace process in chaos and the fate of the interim government in doubt. The electoral commission proposed pushing back the voting date by a month, confirming a delay that had been widely expected amid disputes over the rules, including the eligibility of several divisive candidates.

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Tuesday expressed concern over the unfolding security situation in the capital, Tripoli, where forces affiliated with different armed groups have been deploying.  The development came as Libyans awaited news about the postponement of long-promised landmark elections, due to take place on Friday.