UN says breakthrough achieved in Libya transition talks

top UN official for Libya said Saturday an advisory committee for representatives of Libya's different regions has proposed a way forward for choosing a transitional government that would lead war-torn country to elections late this year. talks in Geneva, structured around Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, have been taking place amid a heavy international push to reach a peaceful settlement to Libya's civil war. Previous diplomatic initiatives have all collapsed.

UN acting envoy for Libya Stephanie Williams told a news conference in Geneva that advisory committee's members “have met ir responsibility with a constructive spirit, cooperative efforts, and a great deal of patriotism.” committee is part of a 75-member forum that represents all three main regions of Libya. 18-member committee has proposed that each region's electoral college name a representative to a three-member presidential council, Williams said. A prime minister would be chosen by 75-member forum. A successful minee should receive 70 per cent of votes.

Williams said that forum would resort to lists formed from Libya's three regions, with each list consisting of four names, minated for presidential council and a prime minister position. She said a list should obtain 17 endorsements: eight from western region, six from eastern region and three from sourn Libya. winning list should receive 60 per cent of votes of 75-member forum in first round. A run-up is expected if list received required votes, she said.

Williams said forum would vote on proposed mechanism on Monday and results are expected following day.

transitional government would be “a temporary unified executive staffed by Libyan patriots who want to share responsibility rar than to divide cake,” UN acting envoy said. US welcomed breakthrough and urged all parties of Libya “to work with urgency and in good faith” to establish an interim government, according to a statement by US Embassy in Libya.

“It is time to move past conflict and corruption facilitated by status quo,” it said.

forum is part of UN efforts to end chaos that engulfed oil-rich rth African nation after 2011 overthrow and killing of dictator Moammar Gadhafi. It has reached an agreement last year to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on December 24, 2021. oil-rich country is w split east to west between two rival administrations, each backed by an array of militias and foreign powers.

warring sides agreed to an UN-brokered cease-fire in October in Geneva, a deal that included departure of foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya within three months. progress was anunced on issue of foreign forces and mercenaries since y inked cease-fire deal almost two months ago. 

(Im Credits: AP)