After the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Libya, Stephanie Khoury, revealed her strategy for Libya, she began intensive meetings with Libyan officials in an attempt to change the Libyan political scene.
Acting Head of the Mission, Stephanie Khoury, announced her strategy for working in Libya in the upcoming period during a video statement published on Monday, marking her first statement since taking over from the resigned UN envoy, Abdoulaye Bathily.
Khoury emphasized that the UN mission is committed to supporting Libyans to avoid division, violence, and waste of resources by facilitating an inclusive political process led by Libyans themselves, including women and youth.
She pledged to support the conduct of comprehensive, free, and fair national elections to restore legitimacy to Libyan institutions, as well as to back a comprehensive national reconciliation process, implement the ceasefire agreement, address the proliferation of weapons, and improve the human rights situation and the rule of law.
Intensive meetings have already begun with various officials. President of the Presidential Council, Mohamed al-Menfi, discussed with her the international and regional efforts to advance the political process and address the economic track by restructuring the economy and administrative system, establishing a unified budget through the Higher Financial Committee, combating corruption, and curbing spending inflation and smuggling.
The two sides also discussed the importance of reactivating the security track within the framework of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission and advancing the human rights track based on the outcomes of the Berlin Conference according to the signed protocol. They emphasized the completion of the comprehensive national reconciliation project that has been initiated.
In a meeting with Khoury, the outgoing Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, affirmed the government’s support for the United Nations’ efforts to stabilize the country through holding elections based on fair and consensual laws that are implementable.
During the meeting, Khoury noted that the mission would continue to meet with all Libyan parties to pursue the UN’s plan to lead the country to elections based on fair and consensual laws.
In her meeting with the President of the High Council of State, Mohamed Takala, Khoury discussed the latest political developments in the country and the importance of advancing the political process to achieve national reconciliation and acceptance of the election results based on consensual laws.
Some observers believe that Khoury may work towards convening a Libyan Dialogue Forum similar to that organized by the former head of the mission, Stephanie Williams, which resulted in the current executive authority.
Presidential candidate Suleiman al-Bayoudi indicated that Khoury’s meetings are exploratory and aim to form a vision of the current situation. He expressed hope that she would not replicate Bathili’s experience and would be able to make progress in the political process in Libya.
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