Libya’s rival administrations have agreed to hold nationwide elections within the next two years as part of efforts to reunify the conflict-ridden country and end years of political division.
The agreement was reached on Sunday after months of United Nations-backed negotiations between representatives of the authorities controlling eastern and western Libya.
Representatives of both sides, operating under the 4+4 Committee, signed an accord aimed at restructuring the country’s electoral commission and resolving outstanding disputes over electoral laws.
Under the agreement, future elections are expected to be conducted under a unified authority and through “unique national sovereign institutions.”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Moussa Al-Koni, Vice-President of Libya’s Presidential Council, described the agreement as an important opportunity to advance the country’s political transition.
“Our participation today is in support of a political opportunity that must be safeguarded and built upon,” Al-Koni said.
He said the agreement could help Libya move “from managing division to bringing it to an end, and from merely waiting for elections to making tangible progress towards them.”
Abdul Rahman Al-Abbar, a member of the 4+4 Committee representing the eastern administration, also welcomed the agreement, describing it as the result of sustained efforts and compromises by both sides.
“Today, in this important forum, with the signing of the results of the work of the 4+4 Committee, this is the culmination of work carried out by this small group of men, who have acted with genuine national will and sound intentions,” he said.
According to Al-Abbar, the committee had made significant compromises that helped overcome several obstacles to political reconciliation.
Libya has remained deeply divided since the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi, triggering years of armed conflict and political instability.
The country is currently split between two rival administrations: Abdulhamid Dbeibah’s internationally recognised Government of National Unity in the west and the eastern-based Government of National Stability, backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar.
Repeated efforts to organise nationwide elections have failed amid disagreements over electoral laws, eligibility rules and the structure of the political system.
Talks aimed at reunifying the country reportedly began late last year after representatives of the two Libyan sides sought Pakistan’s involvement as a mediator.
The latest agreement represents a fresh attempt to establish the political and institutional framework needed to conduct elections and reunify Libya under a single national government.
