International community urges Libya to establish constitutional basis for elections

The international community has called on war-torn Libya to come up with an agreed constitutional basis as soon as possible, as well as enact the legal framework to enable the country to hold national elections scheduled for Dec 24.

The call follows a consultative meeting held on Wednesday by Jan Kubis, special envoy of the secretary-general for Libya and head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, and representatives of France, Germany, Italy, the UK and the US.

They called on relevant actors and institutions in Libya to comply with UN Security Council Resolutions 2570 and 2571, the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum Roadmap and Berlin II conclusions, to live up to their national responsibilities and facilitate the constitutional basis.

The international partners also reiterated their support for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement including the opening of the coastal road, as well as the withdrawal of mercenaries, foreign fighters, and foreign forces without any delay.

Libyan delegates held a 4-day UN-facilitated meeting in Switzerland from Monday, aimed at developing proposals to further facilitate the holding of national elections.

"The future and prosperity of Libya cannot and should not be held hostage by those who prioritize preserving the status quo. Libya and its people cannot and should not be held hostage to such interests and forces," Kubis told the delegates.

"I encourage you to move beyond what divides you and to reach a consensus on a possible constitutional basis for the elections in December. By this, you will live up to your responsibilities."

Libya's military and political institutions have been divided and recurrently battling since 2014.