The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) kicked off online today, while the direct, in-person meeting is due to take place on November, 9, in the Tunisian capital, according to a statement by the UN mission in Libya.

The Acting Head of the UNSMIL, Stephani Williams, said in an official statement to the UNSMIL that the consultative meetings held with various Libyan constituencies in past months following the countrywide ceasefire agreement between Libyan parties on October 23 have paved the way for the resumption of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum.

She indicated that participants in the LPDF have been selected on the principles of inclusivity, fair geographic, ethnic, political, tribal, and social representation, noting that the group includes representatives of the House of Representative, the High Council of State, as well as vibrant Libyan political actors who are not members of the two institutions.

"During the online consultation meeting on Monday, participants in the LPDF will be briefed on the intra-Libyan economic, military tracks facilitated by UNSMIL, and run human rights and international humanitarian law track," Williams said.

The participants will also hear the recommendations that emerged from the consultative meetings with mayors, and representatives of women and youth groups, according to the UNSMIL's statement.

Williams stressed that the overall objective of the LPDF is to generate consensus on a unified governance framework and arrangements that will lead to holding national elections in the shortest possible timeframe in order to restore Libya’s sovereignty and the democratic legitimacy of Libyan institutions.

It is noteworthy that the UNSMIL Acting Head announced, on October 11 the resumption of the comprehensive Libyan-Libyan talks in Tunisia early next November, based on Security Council Resolution No. 2510.