Libya plans conference on its political process

TRIPOLI – A no-confidence vote in Libya’s transitional government this week added to uncertainty ahead of key elections in December.

Now, a government official says an international conference would be held next month in the government’s bid to keep Libya’s political process on track, according to AP.

Mohammad Younes Menfi, who chairs Libya’s three-member Presidential Council, announced the plan.

However, he gave few specifics at the United Nations General Assembly meeting of world leaders.

He said the conference would involve “relevant national bodies and institutions”, plus regional and international voices.

Menfi noted that the aim of the conference would be to maintain Libya’s political process, keep international support “unified”, “consistent”, and “coherent”, and conduct “safe, transparent, fair elections”.

Nonetheless, he did not give a location or an exact date for the planned conference.

“Libya is at a critical juncture – indeed, a defining moment,” Menfi, who hails from eastern Libya, said.

“We either succeed in the democratic transition by means of fair and free and transparent elections, the results of which are acceptable to all, then move towards a sustained stability and prosperity — or fail and relapse into division and armed conflict,” he warned.

Libya has endured a decade of chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.

In the aftermath, the oil-rich nation was split between a government in the east, backed by commander Khalifa Hifter, and a UN-supported administration in the capital of Tripoli.

Each side has also had the support of different regional powers, militias and mercenaries from countries.

All mercenaries and foreign forces were supposed to withdraw after last October’s cease-fire agreement, but they remain in the country and Menfi said this issue remains “a real challenge”.

The current transitional government replaced the two rival administrations and was intended to prepare the country for elections on December 24.

But Libyan lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence in the transitional government on Tuesday, adding to questions about the planned elections.

Still, Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah said the government would keep pushing ahead.