UN Security Council welcomes Libya bloc agreement for national elections

The United Nations Security Council has welcomed a breakthrough agreement reached between Libya’s rival political blocs, describing it as “an important step” toward holding the country’s first national elections in more than a decade. In a statement issued after the council’s meeting, members urged all parties to translate the accord from paper into practice without delay, emphasizing the urgency of establishing a credible electoral timetable.

The pact, signed by representatives of the Government of National Unity in Tripoli and the rival administration based in the east, outlines a joint framework for forming a unified electoral commission, updating voter registries, and setting a date for the elections no later than the end of 2025. It also calls for the release of political prisoners, the restoration of displaced persons to their homes, and the cessation of parallel security structures that have hampered governance. The agreement follows months of stalled negotiations mediated by the UN and the European Union, which have sought to bridge the divide between the two factions that have vied for control since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The Security Council reiterated that the international community will monitor implementation closely and stand ready to provide technical assistance, while warning that any regression could jeopardize the fragile peace process. Observers noted that swift, coordinated action on the agreed measures will be critical to restoring stability and enabling Libyans to exercise their franchise in a free and fair election.