The governments of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America called on the relevant Libyan authorities to respect the aspirations of the Libyan people to hold immediate elections by quickly setting the date for the elections and issuing the final list of presidential candidates without delay.

The governments have said that individuals or entities - inside or outside Libya - who undermine stability or the political process will be held accountable, by their designation by the UN Sanctions Committee.

It reiterated its strong support for the ongoing efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to promote a Libyan-led process for the holding of free, fair and inclusive elections.

These governments called on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya to resolve differences on emerging political or military issues without resorting to violence.


clear road map

For its part, the European Union called on the Libyan authorities to expedite the development of a clear road map, to hold the elections as soon as possible.

EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell said that only elections would give an opportunity to build a stable future and transfer power to elected institutions.

Borrell affirmed - in a statement - the EU's readiness to continue working with Stephanie Williams, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General, and to support the Libyan authorities in preparing for the elections.

The United Nations mission also called on all parties in this country to resolve the current divisions and enhance the ongoing preparations for the holding of the national elections, which it said will lead to unity, stability and institution building.

The UN mission added that the anniversary of Libya's independence comes at a pivotal moment, in which efforts are being made to achieve a peaceful transition and get out of conflict and instability through peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.

The UN mission commended what it described as the great progress achieved last year towards achieving peace and stability in this country.


Parliamentary Committee

The Libyan House of Representatives formed a 10-member committee to draw up a new road map after postponing the elections that were scheduled for Friday.

Yesterday, Thursday, the Council said that it had issued a decision to form a committee comprising 10 of its members, to prepare a proposal for a roadmap beyond December 24.

He added - on his official website - that the committee will submit its report to the office of the Presidency within a week, "to present it to the House of Representatives during its next session."

The Parliamentary Committee had proposed - the day before yesterday, Wednesday - to postpone the date of the elections for a month, confirming a delay that was expected to a large extent, amid disagreements over the rules, including the eligibility of a number of candidates to run in the race.

One of the sources said, "The House of Representatives will hold a session in Tobruk (east) next Monday to discuss the report of the parliamentary committee that was tasked with communicating with the High Electoral Commission and the Supreme Judicial Council, to discuss the legal defect that accompanied the electoral process."

"The session will study the commission's request to postpone the elections for a month until January 24," he added.

This source revealed several possible scenarios that may emerge from the next session, including assigning a new government or making a cabinet reshuffle to the current one and continuing to be assigned to conduct business.

Since the start of the process of preparing for the presidential elections over the past weeks, security incidents have been recorded in some electoral centers in the west of the country.