The emergence of ‘Working through’ two rival Libyan governments could deepen divisions, UN special Envoy Stephanie Williams said.
Libyan people want To end a decade of Violence and the election of a governmentShows “zero appetite” for More conflict despite renewed political confrontation, UN summit in-country official In statements to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
“Most Libyans really want To put an end to 11 years of chaos, division And war – and do it in Selma way By going to the ballot box, Williams said in Published the interview on Sunday.
Libya was supposed to hold elections last December, as part of A UN-led peace process aims to draw a line in a complex conflict that dates back back To the 2011 revolution that toppled and killed the dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
But with the disagreement between the political factions over Legal basis and eligibility of Some controversial candidates, the ballot were indefinitely postponed.
This is a “great disappointment” for Libyans, Williams said, especially after nearly 2.8 million citizens registered in the country vote In the middle of a rare period of Optimism after a historic pause in October 2020-fire.
a new The fissure deepened early this month when based in eastern Libya parliament . agreed new Closet in direct challenge To a unit based in Tripoli government painstakingly pieced together through talks led by the United Nations a year since.
who – which move Soon followed by ominous military maneuvers on suburbs of the capital.
“There is a crisis over The executive branch, there is a political struggle over who sitting in Tripoli”.
“But can work through it,” she added.
The latest in long line of Clashes between interim Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dabaiba government in Tripoli against Fathi Bashagha former the interior minister chosen by parliament his successor.
Bashagha supports the putschist general from the eastern region, Khalifa Haftar, who The 2019-2020 launch is devastating but ultimately unsuccessful offensive against Prefix “Unity” government” in Tripoli.
Bashagha’s supporters argue that Dabaiba was only intentional lead country until December 24 vote – And that his term has expired.
But the incumbent insists he will only give up power to me elected Administration.
massive breakup
Williams, an American diplomat who speaks Arabic who Reports to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, publicly warned against I offered to mediate.
Williams said she did met in thousands of people From all over the country in recent months.
Based on on Those conversations, “There zero Desire to return to full-scale conflict in Libya.”
“There will always be a degree of Shallow legitimacy associated with any executive that is not directly elected by peopleexplained.
Political maneuvers that hindered the elections also Exposing the “enormous separation between the political class and body political ” added.
In its efforts to mediate a way out of Chaos, Williams has urged the upper house – Based on in Tripoli – and the eastern base is the lowest house to negotiate on a constitutional basis for elections.
it’s a key Point of disagreement in A country that has not had a constitution since Gaddafi tore up last one up in 1969.
but less house Not yet approved on Williams told delegates to the talks.
We are at a crucial inflection point for They have to come to the table with good intentions And the in good Faith to sort this outurged.
But she was confident that an agreement could be reached, citing the example of Talks were held in 2020 after bitter military conflict over Tripoli.
“They can do it,” she said. “But they have to get to the table.
“The second step is to sit down and actually negotiate seriously and in good Faith, knowing that you have three million people I’m watching you, ‘Hey addedreferring to the Libyans who I collected the vote cards.
‘Which – which should Enough pressure.
