The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) concluded its meeting without agreeing on a constitutional basis for holding national elections on 24 December 2021.
During the meeting, the participants discussed the four proposals developed by the Proposals Bridging Committee members, the content of which was not disclosed in preparation for reaching consensus on the constitutional basis.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said that LPDF members discussed the proposals and made numerous suggestions on substance and procedure concerning the LPDF Roadmap.
They also pledged to continue consultations with critical political and other stakeholders to prepare for the next LPDF meeting and possible compromises.
No date has been set for the next meeting, which the United Nations intends to hold soon to take final decisions on contentious issues ahead of the national elections.
Addressing the closing session, UNSMIL Coordinator and Assistant Secretary-General Raisedon Zenenga noted that the responsibility to finalize the constitutional basis for the elections rests with the LPDF members.
“The UN and Libya’s international partners are here to support and assist you, including to offer ideas on how to construct a reasonable compromise that bridges the differences among all parties, ” he noted.
The meeting was held after the failure of the last session in Geneva, which was attended by 75 figures representing all parties, to agree on a constitutional mechanism for holding elections supported by the international community.
After the military operations, an agreement was reached on a permanent ceasefire at the end of October. It was followed by the agreement of the Libyan parties in Geneva on a road map that led to the selection of a “temporary” unified political authority that prepares for the elections.
In the absence of a constitution in Libya, LPDF members should establish a constitutional framework for this mechanism.
