UN envoy: Libya warring sides agree to elex in 2021

The top United Nations official for Libya says that representatives from the country's warring sides have agreed to host nationwide elections on December 24 of next year.In a virtual press conference from Tunisia, where the peace talks are being held, UN acting envoy for Libya Stephanie Williams said the elections will allow Libyans to "renew the legitimacy of their institutions."The gathering is the latest in efforts to end the political chaos that engulfed the North African nation after the 2011 overthrow and killing of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

The UN had selected 75 delegates from Libya to take part in the week-long forum at a luxury hotel in the Mediterranean town of Gammarth, just outside the capital of Tunis.Previous diplomatic initiatives to end the conflict have repeatedly collapsed.These latest talks, however, came amid heavy international pressure.

Warring sides agreed to a UN-brokered cease-fire agreement last month in Geneva.Oil-rich Libya is now split between a U.-supported government in the capital, Tripoli, and rival authorities based in the east.Those sides are backed by an array of local militias, as well as regional and foreign powers.

Eastern Libya forces, led by commander Khalifa Hifter, launched an offensive in April 2019 to try and capture Tripoli.His campaign collapsed in June, when the Tripoli-allied militias, with heavy Turkish support, gained the upper hand.Williams said the elections date also holds symbolic value, as it will be the 70th anniversary since the country declared independence.

(Image Credit: AP) 

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