UN advisor on Libya pleased with encouraging progress in talks between HoR and HSC

CAIRO - 17 May 2022:Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General on Libya Stephanie Williams said she was pleased by the encouraging progress made over the past two days between members of the Joint House of Representatives (HoR) and High State Council (HSC) Committee at their second round of talks in Cairo, Libya Herald reported.

She said these have thus far included finding consensus on significant parts of the draft constitution including sections relating to the legislature and judiciary.

Williams said she looked forward to seeing further progress made in the consultations, due to take place through May 20 with the aim of generating a consensual constitutional framework to take Libya to national inclusive elections as soon as possible.

Libya's Prime Minister Fat'hi Bashagha and a number of ministers have left the capital, Tripoli, hours after their attempt to enter the city triggered clashes, the media office of the interim Libyan government announced Tuesday.

Bashagha’s office said he and his ministers left Tripoli later Tuesday “for the sake of the security and safety of citizens and to stop the bloodshed.”

Appointed by Libya's parliament, Bashagha entered Tripoli overnight but withdrew hours later on Tuesday as fighting rocked the capital, the Libyan News Agency quoted the office as saying.

The UN special adviser on Libya, Stephanie Williams, meanwhile, urged calm and for rival parties to engage in talks to resolve their disputes.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Tuesday Egypt's concern about the developments in Tripoli, reiterating the necessity of maintaining pacification in Libya as well as preserving lives, properties, and resources of the Libyan people.

The ministry urged all Libyan parties to practice self-restraint, and abstain from taking any steps that would foment violence. Egypt also underscored the inevitability of a dialogue that is aimed at holding presidential and parliamentary elections contemporarily and without delay.