UN calls for 'Libyan-made' solution to drawn-out war

Negotiations in Geneva this week aim to establish a voting mechanism for nationwide elections

Libya negotiations hosted by the United Nations resumed in Geneva today. AFP

The UN said on Thursday it will not play any role in the formation of Libya's next government as peace talks began in Geneva.

Libya's warring sides agreed to hold nationwide elections next December as UN-led peace talks in November tried to set a road map aimed at ending the war.

“We want a Libyan-made solution, not a solution imposed from the outside. During this meeting, we will not discuss the names of candidates for leadership positions in the unified executive authority,” said Stephanie Williams, the head of the UN Mission in Libya (Unsmil).

“I will not accept that the mission plays any role in naming the executive authority as promoted by some,” Ms Williams said.

The UN-led talks started in the Swiss city with members of the advisory Committee of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum discussing methods to establish a voting mechanism to carry out elections across the country.

They are expected to end on January 16.

Previous peace efforts collapsed but this round has produced the most developments.

Ms Williams previously said the elections will take place on December 24, 2021, which will allow Libyans to “renew, really, the legitimacy of their institutions”.

"So far we have been able to produce a road map but some obstacles occurred because of the mechanism on the voting system," Lamees BenSaad, a member of the political dialogue, told The National.

An advisory board was established and 18 members of the dialogue selected to attend the talks in Geneva.

"According to what I have heard, the meetings are coming out with positive progress. We will know the outcome of the meeting by later tonight," Ms BenSaad said.

UN-led peace talks contain the highest number of women, who are pushing for a national vision. There are 18 women among the 75 participants.

The UN selected the delegates from across Libya to take part in the talks that first started in a luxurious Tunisian hotel in the Mediterranean town of Gammarth, just outside the capital, Tunis.

“We [the women] sent a letter to the Security Council and raised important points and are looking forward to further communication with the UN and high-profile diplomats to come out with a long-run peace process,” Ms BenSaad said.

The US ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, said Libyans must seize the opportunity to reach a deal on forming a new interim executive authority that would set the stage for national elections later this year.

“The committee has the power to restore Libya's sovereignty and respond to the public’s call for change,” Mr Norland said.

Talks last year came after heavy international pressure after the warring sides agreed to a UN-brokered ceasefire agreement in Geneva in October.