Int’l Community Concerned with Widening Dispute between Libyan Govt, Parliament

Arab World

September 26th, 4:53am

Cairo - Khaled Mahmoud

People protest in Libya on Friday in support of the GNU. (AP)

The international community has expressed its growing concern over the deepening dispute between the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU) and the east-based parliament and the impact it may have on upcoming elections. The parliament on Tuesday withdrew confidence from the GNU amid differences over the elections. The GNU will continue to operate in a caretaker capacity. Parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled for December. Head of the Presidential Council, Mohammed al-Menfi relayed concerns expressed by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres over the deepening disputes. The two officials met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Guterres stressed the importance of holding the elections on time, said Menfi, adding that they also discussed the need for foreign fighters and mercenaries to withdraw from Libya to secure the stability of the country and its neighbors. Menfi hailed the UN’s efforts in supporting the Libyan political dialogue, underscoring the importance of the UN mission in Libya in ensuring the success of the political process, leading to holding polls in the best political and security circumstances. Menfi also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in New York on Friday. Lavrov stressed the need for mercenaries to pull out from Libya and for reconciliation to be achieved so that elections can be held as scheduled.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3210271/int%E2%80%99l-community-concerned-widening-dispute-between-libyan-govt-parliament