EXPLAINER: Libya future at stake after failing to hold vote
3 years, 3 months ago

EXPLAINER: Libya future at stake after failing to hold vote

Associated Press  

CAIRO — Libya failed to hold its first presidential election as planned this month, a major blow to international efforts to end a decade of chaos in the oil-rich Mediterranean country. Since parliamentary elections in 2014, the country has been divided between two main rival administrations: one in the east backed by military commander Khalifa Hifter, and another in the west - an array of militias loosely allied with a weak, U.N.-recognized government in the capital Tripoli. Mistrust deepened when lawmakers decided to hold parliamentary elections a month after the planned Dec. 24 presidential vote, rather than simultaneously. The presidential election became sharply polarized when several figures who were considered intolerable by their opponents declared their intention to run — particularly Hifter and Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the ousted dictator’s son and one-time heir apparent.

Elections Election Gadhafi Libya Parliamentary Elections Main Planned Interim Tripoli Hold Presidential Vote Hifter Militias Dbeibeh  future  libya  hold  presidential  vote  elections  interim  stake  election  process  explainer  militias  planned  main  failing

History of this topic

Libya approves constitutional changes in move towards elections
2 years ago

Libya approves constitutional changes in move towards elections

Al Jazeera  

United Nations envoy Abdoulaye Bathily has described the amendment as ‘controversial within the Libyan political class and general citizenry’. Big political changes Thursday’s vote approved a constitutional amendment that was issued last month by the House of Representatives and was presented as a step towards holding elections. “The political process remains protracted and falls short of the aspirations of Libyans, …

UN will struggle to unify Libya with elections this year
2 years, 1 month ago

UN will struggle to unify Libya with elections this year

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — A new push to convince chaos-stricken Libya’s rival factions to hold presidential and legislative elections this year was announced by the top United Nations diplomat in the country on Monday, but any optimism was dampened by a lack of details and continued disputes. Abdoulaye Bathily, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ special representative for Libya, told the U.N. Security …

UN urges Libya’s rivals to agree on elections this week
2 years, 9 months ago

UN urges Libya’s rivals to agree on elections this week

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. political chief urged Libya’s rival factions on Monday to agree on measures governing the transition to elections during talks in Geneva later this week, expressing hope this will lead to long-awaited voting “at the earliest possible date.” Rosemary DiCarlo told the U.N. Security Council that during talks in Cairo from June 12-20 the rivals reached …

Rival Libyan officials hold UN-led election talks in Switzerland
2 years, 9 months ago

Rival Libyan officials hold UN-led election talks in Switzerland

Al Jazeera  

Talks will focus on draft constitutional framework for elections after they failed to reach an agreement previously. Two senior Libyan officials began two days of talks on constitutional arrangements for elections, the latest United Nations effort to bridge gaps between the country’s rivals. According to the UN, the talks will focus on a draft constitutional framework for elections after Libya’s …

Libyan rivals resume U.N.-brokered talks on elections
2 years, 10 months ago

Libyan rivals resume U.N.-brokered talks on elections

Associated Press  

CAIRO — Rival Libyan officials on Sunday resumed talks in the Egyptian capital, the latest U.N.-led efforts to agree on constitutional amendments for elections as the North African nation again finds itself at a political impasse. Twelve lawmakers from Libya’s east-based parliament and 11 from the High Council of State, an advisory body from western Libya, were attending the Cairo-hosted …

Libya’s rival officials conclude election talks without deal
2 years, 11 months ago

Libya’s rival officials conclude election talks without deal

Associated Press  

CAIRO — Rival Libyan officials wrapped up weeklong talks in the Egyptian capital without an agreement on constitutional arrangements for elections, the United Nations said Tuesday. The talks came as Libya has been pulled apart with rival governments claiming power after tentative steps toward unity in the past year that followed a decade of civil war. In February, the country’s …

Libya’s rival officials meet in Egypt for talks on elections
2 years, 11 months ago

Libya’s rival officials meet in Egypt for talks on elections

Associated Press  

CAIRO — Rival Libyan officials began talks Wednesday in the Egyptian capital on disputed constitutional arrangements for their country’s elections. The U.N. special adviser on Libya, Stephanie Williams, said the meetings in Cairo would conclude next Wednesday, hopefully with an agreement on a “solid constitutional basis and electoral framework.” “You have a critical role to play in making your voice …

Libya parliament approves new government as crisis escalates
3 years ago

Libya parliament approves new government as crisis escalates

Al Jazeera  

The vote may lead to the formation of two parallel administrations, derailing the UN-led reconciliation efforts. Libya’s east-based parliament has approved a new government despite the incumbent administration pledging not to cede power, pushing a fragile peace process to the brink of collapse and raising the risk of new conflict. The first signs of serious trouble emerged late last year …

Libya’s embattled PM says replacing him could trigger war
3 years, 1 month ago

Libya’s embattled PM says replacing him could trigger war

Associated Press  

CAIRO — Libya’s embattled prime minister has warned that the appointment of a new transitional government could set off war and chaos in the Mediterranean country mired for a decade in turmoil. An election, he said, “is the sole solution.” The effort to replace Dbeibah stems from Libya’s failure to hold its first presidential election during his watch. He described …

UN adviser tells Libya leaders to ‘preserve calm and stability’
3 years, 1 month ago

UN adviser tells Libya leaders to ‘preserve calm and stability’

Al Jazeera  

Parliament’s move to choose a new PM has deepened divisions between rival factions and fears have intensified of renewed fighting. The UN chief’s special adviser on Libya on Sunday called on both its interim prime minister and his parliament-designated successor to maintain stability and said elections should be held as soon as possible. Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, prime minister of the …

Libya’s embattled PM promises new election law to resolve crisis
3 years, 1 month ago

Libya’s embattled PM promises new election law to resolve crisis

Al Jazeera  

Abdul Hamid Dbeibah says legislation is in the works for a new vote as parliament announces appointment of new interim PM. Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has promised to draft a new election law to resolve the intensifying political crisis in the North African country. In a statement, Guterres reminded “all institutions of the primary goal of holding national …

UN official: Libya elections could be rescheduled for June
3 years, 2 months ago

UN official: Libya elections could be rescheduled for June

Associated Press  

CAIRO — A senior U.N. official said she is pushing for Libya to hold elections by June, after the county missed a December deadline to elect its first president since the 2011 ouster and killing of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Stephanie Williams, the U.N. special adviser on Libya, told The Associated Press late Sunday that it is still “very reasonable …

Libyan parliament refuses to fix date for delayed elections
3 years, 3 months ago

Libyan parliament refuses to fix date for delayed elections

Al Jazeera  

Parliamentary committee recommends laying out ‘a new, realistic and applicable roadmap’ rather than fixing new dates. Libya’s parliament has refused to fix a date for presidential elections meant to have taken place last week, leaving question marks about the fate of the poll. The report, read to members of parliament by committee president Al-Haid al-Sghayer, also suggested setting up a …

Libyans voice anger at derailed election as disputes rumble on
3 years, 3 months ago

Libyans voice anger at derailed election as disputes rumble on

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Libyans have voiced their anger …

Western powers urge Libya to set new election date ‘swiftly’
3 years, 3 months ago

Western powers urge Libya to set new election date ‘swiftly’

Al Jazeera  

The UK, France, Germany, Italy and the US call on Libya to set a new date for a delayed presidential vote quickly. The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and the United States have urged war-torn Libya to set a new date for delayed presidential election quickly. “We call on the relevant Libyan authorities to respect the aspirations of the Libyan …

Why Libya’s election got postponed: A quick guide
3 years, 3 months ago

Why Libya’s election got postponed: A quick guide

Al Jazeera  

A look at the factors that have forced Libya to postpone a vote seen as crucial to end its 10-year-long crisis. Parliament speaker Aguila Saleh, who is a presidential candidate, issued a law setting a first round of the presidential election for December 24, followed by a runoff vote – if needed – and parliamentary polls. Putting the presidential vote …

Libya parliament says ‘impossible’ to hold presidential vote
3 years, 3 months ago

Libya parliament says ‘impossible’ to hold presidential vote

Associated Press  

CAIRO — A Libyan parliamentary committee said Wednesday that it has become “impossible” to hold the long-awaited presidential election in two days as scheduled, a major blow to international efforts to end a decade of chaos in the oil-rich country. In a letter to Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh, lawmaker al-Hadi al-Sagheir, head of the committee tasked to follow the electoral …

Libya electoral board suggests January 24 for polls
3 years, 3 months ago

Libya electoral board suggests January 24 for polls

Al Jazeera  

Proposed one-month postponement comes as parliamentary committee says Friday’s vote ‘impossible’ to be held on scheduled date. “Even if the election is postponed until January, we might see these issues raised all over again.” ‘Risk of clashes’ Disagreements showed the limitations of a winner-takes-all presidential vote involving candidates viewed as unacceptable in large parts of the country including the son …

Libya electoral commission dissolves poll committees
3 years, 3 months ago

Libya electoral commission dissolves poll committees

Al Jazeera  

The head of Libya’s High National Electoral Commission has ordered the dissolution of the electoral committees nationwide, in a move that effectively postpones this week’s presidential election. “Basically what this means is that he’s told the temporary workers and the administrators in the polling stations to stop their work, to put away all the election equipment.” Earlier on Tuesday, presidential …

Libya’s election faces uncertainty amid towering challenges
3 years, 3 months ago

Libya’s election faces uncertainty amid towering challenges

Associated Press  

CAIRO — Libya’s presidential election, meant to help unify the nation after a decade of civil war, is supposed to take place in just over a week, but calls are mounting for a delay. The interim government has not been able to unify Libya’s institutions, particularly the military, dismantle militias or ensure the exit of foreign mercenaries and fighters, said …

Libya delays candidate list as likely election postponement looms
3 years, 3 months ago

Libya delays candidate list as likely election postponement looms

Al Jazeera  

Disputes about fundamental rules governing the election have continued throughout the process, including over the voting timetable. Libya’s election commission said it would not publish a list of presidential candidates until after it settles some legal issues, leaving almost no time to hold the vote as planned on December 24. Significant delays could increase the risk of derailing the wider …

Libyan political body calls for presidential vote to be delayed
3 years, 3 months ago

Libyan political body calls for presidential vote to be delayed

Al Jazeera  

The High State Council says the presidential and parliamentary elections should both take place on the same day. High State Council has called for a December 24 presidential election to be delayed to February amid growing jostling over the rules and legal basis of a vote aimed at ending a decade of instability. Those disputes revealed deeper disagreements about the …

Libya’s former interior minister to make presidential bid
3 years, 4 months ago

Libya’s former interior minister to make presidential bid

Al Jazeera  

Libya’s former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha has registered as a presidential candidate for a planned December election that remains in doubt amid disputes over the rules. Bashagha was the influential interior minister in the internationally recognised Government of National Accord that ruled in western areas and was replaced in March by a new unity government. On Thursday he joined a …

World leaders bolster troubled Libya ahead of key election
3 years, 4 months ago

World leaders bolster troubled Libya ahead of key election

Associated Press  

PARIS — Libyan leaders reaffirmed Friday in Paris their commitment to ensure the success of the country’s political process through long-awaited elections next month, a vote that world powers hope will pull the oil-rich North African nation out of its decade-old chaos. “We reiterate our commitment to the success of the Libyan political process,” they said and added they “reject …

World powers press for Libya elections but disputes remain
3 years, 4 months ago

World powers press for Libya elections but disputes remain

Al Jazeera  

The elections are envisaged as a key moment in an UN-backed peace process to end a decade of violent chaos but the votes for a new president and parliament are still in doubt with six weeks to go. World powers have urged Libya to stick to a plan for holding presidential elections on December 24, adding that foreign mercenaries should …

Libya set to open registration for election candidates
3 years, 4 months ago

Libya set to open registration for election candidates

Al Jazeera  

Libya’s High National Elections Commission said it would open registration for candidates in presidential, parliamentary elections on Monday. Libya’s High National Elections Commission says it will open registration on Monday for candidates in presidential and parliamentary elections that have been mandated by a United Nations-backed roadmap on December 24. The law set a first round of the presidential election in …

Libya to start registering election candidates in November
3 years, 5 months ago

Libya to start registering election candidates in November

Al Jazeera  

Electoral commission will begin registering candidates amid ongoing wrangling over the constitutional basis for the vote. Registration of candidates for Libya’s elections will open next month, the High National Election Commission has said ahead of the landmark vote scheduled for December. Libya’s prime minister and several foreign powers endorsed the holding of a national election at the Libya Stabilisation Conference …

Libyan PM, foreign powers back landmark election in December
3 years, 5 months ago

Libyan PM, foreign powers back landmark election in December

Al Jazeera  

Elections have been viewed as a key step in ending a decade of violence and instability in Libya. Libya’s prime minister and several foreign powers have endorsed the holding of a national election on December 24, as envisaged in a United Nations-backed peace plan aimed at resolving years of turmoil and division. Thursday’s conference aimed to “gather the necessary support, …

Libya ready for polls despite disputes over laws: Elections chief
3 years, 5 months ago

Libya ready for polls despite disputes over laws: Elections chief

Al Jazeera  

Imed al-Sayeh, head of country’s High National Election Commission, says Libya is ’80 or 90 percent ready’ for the presidential, parliamentary votes. “We are 80 or 90 percent ready” for the presidential and parliamentary votes in December and January, Imed al-Sayeh, head of the country’s High National Election Commission, said in an interview with the AFP news agency. “I think …

Libyan legislative elections delayed until January: Parliament
3 years, 5 months ago

Libyan legislative elections delayed until January: Parliament

Al Jazeera  

Parliamentary spokesman says presidential poll in December is the priority, as legislative ballot postponed by 30 days. Libya’s legislative elections have been postponed until January, the country’s eastern-based parliament has said, instead of being held on December 24 as planned. “The election for members of the House of Representatives will take place 30 days after the presidential vote,” still scheduled …

Libya parliament adopts law on legislative elections
3 years, 5 months ago

Libya parliament adopts law on legislative elections

Al Jazeera  

The new law comes before a planned national vote set for December 24 under a UN-led peace process for Libya. Libya’s parliament on Monday passed a law on legislative elections, its spokesman said, before a planned national vote set for December 24 under a UN-led peace process. The legislature “passed a law on elections to the House of Representatives during …

Key Libya commander suspends duties ahead of December vote
3 years, 6 months ago

Key Libya commander suspends duties ahead of December vote

Associated Press  

Libya’s powerful, east-based commander announced Wednesday he was suspending his role as leader of a self-styled Libyan army for the next three months — the clearest indication yet that he may be contemplating a run for president in December elections. The campaign ultimately failed last year, leading to U.N.-mediated talks and the formation of a transitional government charged with leading …

Libya lawmakers pass no confidence vote for transition govt
3 years, 6 months ago

Libya lawmakers pass no confidence vote for transition govt

Associated Press  

BENGHAZI, Libya — Libyan lawmakers Tuesday passed a vote of no confidence in the country’s transitional government, throwing long-waited elections scheduled later this year into further uncertainty. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah said after the vote, however, that his government would push forward with plans for elections in late December. Ablaihig said Dbeibah’s government would work as a caretaker administration …

Egypt’s el-Sisi backs December elections in Libya
3 years, 6 months ago

Egypt’s el-Sisi backs December elections in Libya

Al Jazeera  

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has pledged support for elections in Libya in talks with the North African country’s interim prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. The talks with Dbeibah in the Egyptian capital, Ciaro, took place days after el-Sisi met the Libyan renegade commander Khalifa Haftar, who leads forces that have de facto control over Libya’s east and parts of …

Libya’s foreign minister says December polls could be delayed
3 years, 6 months ago

Libya’s foreign minister says December polls could be delayed

Al Jazeera  

Najla al-Mangoush says the government is doing everything in its power to hold the December vote but challenges persist. Libya’s foreign minister is refusing to exclude the possibility that general elections set for December may be postponed if Parliament continues to delay the ratification of an electoral law. “As a government, we have put in place everything required to move …

Libya’s Dbeibah hits back at parliament over no-confidence threat
3 years, 7 months ago

Libya’s Dbeibah hits back at parliament over no-confidence threat

Al Jazeera  

Libyan leader says the eastern-based parliament’s failure to vote on a state budget is delaying his administration’s work. Libya’s interim prime minister has pushed back against parliament’s threats to withdraw confidence from his unity government, as a burgeoning rift raises fears over the continuing peace process to end years of war. Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who took office in March, said …

Libya’s new interim government is facing an arduous task
3 years, 8 months ago

Libya’s new interim government is facing an arduous task

Al Jazeera  

The parliamentary and presidential elections planned for the end of the year give the long-suffering people of Libya reason to be hopeful about their country’s future. Nevertheless, their optimism is tempered by the ongoing struggles to achieve transitional justice, the fears about possible election violence, and the many other challenges the North African country’s newly formed interim government is facing. …

UN-backed Libya talks fail to reach consensus on elections
3 years, 8 months ago

UN-backed Libya talks fail to reach consensus on elections

Al Jazeera  

The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum discusses constitutional basis for elections but fails to reach agreement after five days of talks. “The people of Libya will certainly feel let down as they still aspire to the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights in presidential and parliamentary elections on December 24.” The mission urged forum members to continue consultations to agree on …

Libyan lawmakers confirm interim unity government
4 years ago

Libyan lawmakers confirm interim unity government

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Libyan lawmakers confirmed a newly appointed government on Wednesday, in …

Libya’s tortuous path towards a constitution and elections
4 years, 1 month ago

Libya’s tortuous path towards a constitution and elections

Al Jazeera  

Restoring security in the war-ravaged country where militias control vast territory is the main challenge for Libyan leaders. With the ceasefire holding, members from the two rival parliaments, the Western High Council of State and the Eastern House of Representatives, met last months and called for a national referendum to approve a new draft constitution ahead of December elections. “The …

UN-led Libya talks set December 2021 date for elections
4 years, 4 months ago

UN-led Libya talks set December 2021 date for elections

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Libya's warring sides have agreed …

UN-led Libya talks set December 2021 date for elections
4 years, 4 months ago

UN-led Libya talks set December 2021 date for elections

Associated Press  

GAMMARTH, Tunisia — Libya’s warring sides have agreed to hold nationwide elections in December next year, the top U.N. official for the North African country said Friday in a sign of progress from the U.N.-brokered peace talks underway in Tunisia. In a virtual press conference from Tunisia, U.N. acting envoy for Libya Stephanie Williams said the elections will take place …

Libya talks set December 2021 date for elections
4 years, 4 months ago

Libya talks set December 2021 date for elections

Al Jazeera  

Acting UN envoy Stephanie Williams says participants at Tunisia talks agreed that national elections should take place on 24 December, 2021. Libyans at UN-led talks have agreed to hold national parliamentary and presidential elections in December next year, the United Nations has said. Participants at the talks in Tunisia “agreed that national elections should take place on December 24, 2021,” …

UN hails Libya elections ‘breakthrough’ at Tunis political talks
4 years, 4 months ago

UN hails Libya elections ‘breakthrough’ at Tunis political talks

Al Jazeera  

Agreement at meeting in Tunisia’s capital paves the way for a road map towards ‘free, fair, inclusive’ elections in 18 months. Libya’s warring sides have agreed to hold elections within 18 months, the United Nations has said, hailing a “breakthrough” in a fraught peacemaking process. “There’s real momentum and that’s what we need to focus on and encourage,” Stephanie Williams, …

Rival Libyan leaders agree to hold national election: UN
6 years, 1 month ago

Rival Libyan leaders agree to hold national election: UN

Al Jazeera  

The head of Libya‘s internationally recognised government and a rival military strongman have agreed to hold elections aiming at ending years of instability, the United Nations said Thursday. Unity government leader Fayez al-Sarraj met General Khalifa Haftar, who rules the eastern half of the country, in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and agreed “on the need to end the transitional phase …

A breakthrough in Libya?
9 years, 3 months ago

A breakthrough in Libya?

Al Jazeera  

Warring sides agree to hold vote within two years and to form committee to help choose government, but will it work? The Tripoli-based General National Congress and the United Nations-recognised House of Representatives in Tobruk have agreed to hold elections within two years. But the weakened security situation in Libya has helped the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant …

Libya begins election amid violence
10 years, 9 months ago

Libya begins election amid violence

Al Jazeera  

Polling is under way in Libya to elect a new national parliament despite much of the country being in the grip of the worst violence since the 2011 uprising. Polling stations opened at 6am GMT on Wednesday, with 1.5 million registered voters choosing from the 1,628 candidates contesting 200 seats in parliament. The vote is Libya’s third legislative election since …

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