ANKARA (Anadolu) – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on rival Libyan sides to prioritize the stability of their country.
In a statement, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the UN chief called on “all parties to continue to preserve stability in Libya as a top priority.”
The statement came after the Libyan parliament in eastern Libya named Fathi Bashagha as the country’s new prime minister. Incumbent Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, however, rejected the parliament’s move, vowing to remain in his post until a national election is held.
A majority of lawmakers also voted in favor of a proposal on the amendment of the country’s “constitutional declaration.”
The spokesperson said the UN chief took note “of the vote of the House of Representatives to designate a new Prime Minister,” but has urged “all parties and institutions to continue to ensure that such critical decisions are taken in a transparent and consensual manner.”
Guterres also reminded “all institutions of the primary goal of holding national elections as soon possible in order to ensure that the political will of the 2.8 million Libyan citizens who registered to vote is respected.”
Libya’s polls were scheduled to take place on Dec. 24, 2021 but were postponed over disagreements among the country’s political rivals. No new date for the vote has been agreed on so far.
Libyans hope the upcoming elections will help end the armed conflict that has plagued the oil-rich country for years.
The High Council of State in Libya announced on Friday that a session will be held to listen to the new head of government’s agenda amid a state of anticipation and looming political division.
The United Nations indicated that it still recognizes Dbeibeh as the head of the government in the country.
The tension between Bashagha and Dbeibeh brings Libya back to the phase of political division that the country witnessed after 2014. This comes at a time of fears of a conflict over legitimacy between the two governments.