**Libyan Rivals Set Deadline for National Elections Under UN-Brokered Agreement**
In a significant development for Libya's political landscape, rival factions within the country have signed a UN-backed roadmap aimed at facilitating presidential and parliamentary elections within the next 24 months. This agreement, reached after years of political turmoil, was formalized on Sunday at the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) headquarters in Tripoli.
The signing follows extensive discussions that took place in Tunis, culminating on August 20. The negotiations involved representatives from four key political and military institutions: the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU), the High Council of State, the eastern-based House of Representatives, and the Libyan National Army. Each institution was represented by two delegates, reflecting a concerted effort to bridge divides that have persisted since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Walid Ellafi, the GNU's minister of state for political affairs, emphasized the commitment to hold elections within a maximum of two years, under a unified executive authority and national institutions. The roadmap aims to address long-standing disputes regarding electoral laws and to reform the national election commission, which has been a point of contention in previous election attempts.
Shibani AbuHamoud, who led the army delegation, indicated that the participating factions would collaborate with UNSMIL to establish an implementation mechanism within one month. This step is crucial for ensuring that the agreement translates into actionable plans.
The agreement now awaits approval from the House of Representatives and the High Council of State, which have a month to endorse the roadmap. Should they fail to do so, the parties involved have expressed their intention to pursue the agreement as a constitutional document through broader national mechanisms and seek support from the UN Security Council.
This latest initiative is part of ongoing efforts to resolve Libya's political deadlock, which has persisted since the country became divided between rival eastern and western administrations in 2014. The situation has been exacerbated by previous failed attempts to hold elections, including a planned vote in December 2021 that collapsed due to disagreements over electoral laws and candidate eligibility.
In 2023, a joint committee representing Libya's two legislative chambers managed to draft election laws, but further disputes regarding the formation of an interim government and the implementation of these laws stalled progress toward a vote.
The newly signed roadmap includes provisions that allow military personnel to participate in the presidential election both as candidates and voters. Additionally, dual nationals will be permitted to run for office, although any successful candidate will be required to renounce foreign citizenship before taking the constitutional oath.
Notably, the plan also proposes changes to the electoral process, including the elimination of a mandatory second round of voting if a candidate secures more than 50% of the vote. It will require presidential candidates to obtain 20,000 endorsements from across Libya and remove the existing linkage between the outcomes of presidential and parliamentary elections.
As Libya navigates this pivotal moment, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, hopeful that this roadmap could pave the way for a more stable and unified governance structure in the country. The success of this agreement will largely depend on the commitment of the involved parties to adhere to the proposed timeline and work collaboratively towards a peaceful resolution of their differences.