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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Cairo - Khaled Mahmoud

Libya's HoR, HCS to Address Legal Basis for Elections in Upcoming Meeting

The Special Adviser to the UN Sec-Gen for Libya, Stephanie Williams, met Saudi Ambassador to Libya Abdulaziz bin Ali al-Sager (SASG Twitter Account)

The UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser for Libya (SASG), Stephanie Williams, announced an initiative to form a joint committee from the House of Representatives (HoR) and High Council of State (HCS) to agree on a firm constitutional basis for national elections.

In an online exchange via Clubhouse, Williams expected to receive the list of the HoR's representatives for the joint committee, "we remain in active communication with the Speaker's office."

The Special Adviser asserted the UN's commitment to confidence-building measures between the HCS and HoR, noting that the time frame for the elections is determined by the Libyans, depending on the constitutional basis and voter registration.

She also pointed out the controversy over the draft constitution that the joint committee will resolve.

Williams said, "civilian flights from Tripoli to Benghazi have been suspended for more than two weeks! I reiterate that freedom of movement around the country is a basic human right that must be respected."

She joined Libyans in calling on the relevant state authorities to resume civilian flights without further delay.

The UN official hinted that it was possible to impose sanctions on those obstructing the political process in Libya, noting that including supporters of the former regime is an essential shift in the Libyan political process.

Williams met Saudi Ambassador to Libya Abdulaziz bin Ali al-Sager in Tunisia and discussed ensuring coordination and unification of all international efforts on Libya.

Sager expressed full support for the UN-proposed joint committee between the High Council of State and House of Representatives to rebuild consensus on a firm constitutional and legal basis to enable the holding of elections.

Meanwhile, the new government headed by Fathi Bashagha, pledged to integrate "revolutionaries" into the Libyan Army and unify its ranks.

The Minister of Defense, Hamid Houma, affirmed the government's support to the (5 + 5) committee, inviting all actors to participate in the national reconciliation project.

The Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in the east, welcomed the statement.

Official spokesman, Major General Ahmed al-Mismari, said the integration of the revolutionaries in the army is "a message of reassurance."

He continued: "The process of integration into the armed forces comes within the framework of a comprehensive plan to address the militia issue.”

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