The Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres, is closely following developments in Libya, including the March 01 session of the House of Representatives, which held a vote of confidence on the appointment of a new government. 

According to his spokesman, the Secretary General is concerned over reports that the vote in the House of Representatives fell short of the expected standards of transparency and procedures and included acts of intimidation prior to the session. 

Guterres reiterated the importance of preserving the unity and hard-won stability achieved since the signing of the Libyan ceasefire agreement in October 2020, stressing the need to fulfill the aspirations of more than 2.8 million Libyans who

have registered to vote to choose their leaders through credible, transparent and inclusive elections on the basis of a sound constitutional and legal framework. 

“The Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Libya, Ms. Stephanie Williams, intends to invite as soon as possible a joint committee from the House of Representatives and the High State Council, to come together in order to establish a consensual constitutional basis that would lead to national elections as soon as possible.” The statement indicated, saying that the UN Secretary General called on all actors to refrain from taking any actions that could undermine stability and deepen divisions in Libya.

Meanwhile, the UN Advisor Stephanie Williams said on Twitter that she would send a letter to the HoR and High Council of State urging for devising a constitutional basis for general elections as soon as possible, adding that she is in Libya to support the electoral process and the aspirations of 2.8 million Libyans.