The UN Advisor on Libya, Stephanie Williams, said the UN remains a key force in potentially resolving the dispute between the Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbiebah and his rival Fathi Bashagha and their respective administrations.
She added in an interview with American magazine “Newsweek” that this issue is a Libyan one that ultimately requires a Libyan solution.
“The United Nations is not in the business of recognizing or endorsing governments.Such recognition is a sovereign matter decided upon by member states and in some instances, the UN Security Council.” Williams added.
She said that without elections, neither the Tripoli or Tobruk administrations had a true mandate from a population longing to have its own voice heard, as evidenced by the enthusiasm expressed by citizens to actually participate in choosing their next leader for the first time.
Williams stressed that all of the current institutions in Libya lack popular legitimacy, adding that the only solution is through the ballot box, and this is the overwhelming demand of the Libyan people.
“That is why nearly three million Libyans, out of an overall population of approximately seven million, registered to vote, in addition to the fact that over 5000 candidates filed papers to run as candidates in the parliamentary elections, and almost 100 Libyans filed to run for the presidential race.” Williams indicated.
Williams said she was offering to use her position to mediate in the dispute between Bashagha and Dbeibah in order to help finally usher in a new age of stable leadership.
“I have offered the good offices of the United Nations to mediate a resolution to the crisis over control of the executive authority. I have also announced an initiative to convene a joint committee of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State to establish a sound constitutional basis in order to take the country to national elections as soon as possible.” She explained.
