Representatives across the Libyan social and political spectrum have agreed to hold national elections in December next year, said the UN Mission in Libya on Friday. The 75 representatives reached this agreement at the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, an inclusive intra-Libyan political dialogue platform, said Stephanie Williams, head of the UN Support in Libya, in a virtual press conference. The forum was launched under the auspices of the United Nations shortly after the Libyan parties signed a UN-sponsored permanent cease-fire agreement in Geneva on Oct. 23 with an aim to discuss a political roadmap to end their year-long conflict and achieve lasting peace. Representatives of the six-day forum have reached a preliminary agreement on a roadmap for the preparatory phase towards the national elections, said William, who is also the acting special representative of the UN Secretary General in Libya. She said that the representatives have started outlining the competencies of a reformed presidency council and a government of national unity. Participants of the talks are taking steps to ensure that the candidates for the selection process are asked to adhere to the principles of inclusivity, transparency, efficiency, pluralism, collegiality, and patriotism, Williams said.
