Participants of the the UN-brokered Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) have failed to reach a full agreement in discussions over the future of Libya’s executive authority; presidential council, unity government and other traits of the interim period until the date set for elections on December 24, 2021.
Despite a week of meetings in Tunisia having already taken place, the Acting Special Representative of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Stephanie Williams told journalists in Tunisia on Sunday that the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum would be continuing debates in a week’s time virtually.
Although no agreement had been reached, Williams said the participants in the talks “came together over significant issues in a very short period of time”.
The UN said that it will investigate the rumours about alleged bribes to obtain the votes of the participants of the dialogue.
“This is also a form of obstruction of the dialogue, about the progress that is being made, because it undermines the trust and confidence in the process,” Williams said.
“Those who are identified as obstructionists could be subject to international sanctions,” she added.
The talks are aimed at setting a roadmap out of Libya’s years-long conflict. They were held under intense international pressure after previous diplomatic initiatives repeatedly collapsed, and amid a UN-brokered ceasefire agreement last month.
A group of 75 delegates from Libya, selected by the UN, have been engaging in the talks which this week led to an agreement between two warring sides to hold nationwide elections in December next year.
