Ahead of national polls in Libya scheduled for December 2021, neighbouring countries are meeting in Algiers to set a roadmap for a smooth transition.
This follows a similar meeting held at the behest of Algeria in January 2020, which was attended by seven foreign ministers of Libya’s neighbouring countries. In attendance were the Foreign Ministers of Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Niger, Chad and the Republic of Congo.
The Secretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union, Bankole Adeoye and the UN SG’s special envoy for Libya, Jan Kubis were at the meeting.
On the eve of the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Ramtane Lamamra, met with his two counterparts from Congo and Tunisia, Jean Claude Gakosso and Othman El-Grandi.
The two-day briefing focuses on the crucial role of Libya’s neighbouring countries in strengthening regional stability through the holding of fair elections in Libya.
The UN envoy to Libya Jan Kubis said that time was pressing for Libyans to finalise a legal framework for the December elections.
“The (Libyan) government has taken the necessary dispositions to hold elections but we need a legal framework,” Kubis said at the opening of the meeting.
Last year, participants urged the Libyan parties to join the process of political dialogue, under the auspices of the United Nations, with the assistance of the African Union and neighbouring countries, to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the crisis away from any foreign interference.
The ministers of neighbouring countries also stressed on the importance of border security with Libya and the importance of coordination to address all risks that threaten the security and stability of the region and that of the Sahel.
Kubis also stressed that MPs should “assume their responsibilities and not waste time”. He also called on Libya’s neighbours to appoint observers to monitor the polls.