Libya to hold presidential elections after 'breakthrough' in peace talks

Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in 18 months, the UN said

Jamal Faraj Al Mellah, 60, stands on a damaged balcony at home, in Benghazi, Libya, on October 26, 2020. Reuters

Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in Libya within 18 months, as a milestone was reached at UN-brokered peace talks in Tunis on Wednesday.

Acting UN Special Representative to Libya Stephanie Williams hailed the progress aimed at ending years of fighting between rival administrations as a “breakthrough”.

“There’s real momentum and that’s what we need to focus on and encourage,” Ms Williams told reporters.

Rival factions gathered in Tunis on Monday for six days of talks with hopes of creating a pathway to end the ongoing war between the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) backed by House of Representatives.

Thursday’s talks will focus on how to implement a transitional government years after the administrations divided.

Military representatives of both sides are also meeting this week in the central coastal city of Sirte, the dividing line between the two forces, for concurrent talks. The joint military commission will announce its progress at a press briefing on Thursday evening, Ms Williams said.

Wednesday's progress was praised by EU Ambassador to Libya Sabadell Jose.

“Good news from ... Libya [talks]. Still ongoing dialogue with a positive road map towards elections and a New Libya at peace and without foreign interference,” he said on Twitter.

Previous diplomatic attempts to end the conflict have failed, but an agreement for a permanent ceasefire reached in Geneva on October 23, coupled with heavy international pressure, added impetus to the latest talks.

October’s ceasefire deal has allowed for the resumption of economically vital oil production and spurred progress on efforts to end years of political deadlock.

GNA Prime Minister Fayez Al Sarraj previously said he would step down from his post by the end of October to facilitate change – a move praised by the UN and others. However, he later rescinded his resignation at Germany’s request over worries of a vacuum.

"In light of the start of the political talks, however, we would like to see Mr Al Sarraj postpone his resignation and remain in office for the duration of the dialogue forum," Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said last month.

The breakthrough came as a group of human rights organisations called for an independent investigation into the killing of lawyer and political activist Hanan Al Barassi in Benghazi on Tuesday. She was shot by a group of unknown men in the city centre.

"Al Barassi’s murder follows a disturbing pattern in recent years of violent attacks against prominent women activists who are critical of the authorities and affiliated militia," an open letter from organisations including the Libyan Women's Platform for Peace and International Commission of Jurists read.

"The failure of Libyan authorities to effectively investigate these attacks, despite public commitments to do so, has created an environment of impunity, in which women are frequently targeted, both online and offline, with threats, smear campaigns and violence for their political or human rights views," it continued.

The group said the repeated killings, including Fariha Al Berkawi in July 2014 and Entisar El Hassari in February 2015, risk the peace process.

"There can be no meaningful democratic transition in Libya until the basic security and human rights of the population are guaranteed."