Libyan Political Dialogue Forum designates new interim executive to chart course to fresh elections

The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) welcomes today’s decision of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) to designate a new interim executive, and congratulates the newly designated Libyan interim Prime Minister and Members of the Presidency Council.

“This is a huge achievement, and a key step towards organising the elections in December this year,” said David Harland, HD’s Executive Director. “I applaud the members of the LPDF for reaching a consensus despite their differences, as well as the tireless efforts of the UN in facilitating this process.”

The new Prime Minister will be tasked with forming a government that brings all Libyan political and social trends together. This government must then be approved by the House of Representatives, Libya’s parliament.

The government will in turn play a key role in implementing the Roadmap agreed by the LPDF participants during the first round of talks in Tunis during November 2020, and organising elections planned for 24 December 2021.  

HD’s MENA Director, Romain Grandjean, joined in praising the role of Acting SRSG Stephanie Williams and former SRSG Ghassan Salamé, but cautioned that “the next phase will demand us all to redouble our efforts if Libya is to succeed in holding democratic elections this year.”

He also extended his welcome to incoming UN Special Envoy Ján Kubis.

HD is honoured to have supported the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in relaunching the political process by facilitating an agreement on the political roadmap between the main Libyan political actors in Montreux in September 2020.  

HD also worked with the UN on the National Conference Process (NCP) during 2017-2018; the conclusions of which remain relevant for the new authorities moving ahead.

Whilst forming a unity government is an important step, the ultimate objective of the UN process has always been to restore full sovereignty to Libyan citizens through the holding of free, fair and credible elections, paving the way for Libya to rebuild its institutions in peaceful and just conditions.

Libyans will judge the success of the process on this outcome alone. HD welcomes the efforts of those who have so far overcome their differences to work towards this goal, and the rebuilding of a unified Libyan state.

As the Libyan transition enters a new stage, HD stands at the ready to help the new interim authorities and the Libyan people unite their country and build a stable, prosperous and democratic state. 

The Arabic version of this press release can be accessed here.