The United Nations has urged Libyan leaders to refrain from using the date of 22 June as a tool for political manipulation.

At a UN press briefing on Wednesday, Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said the expiration of the transitional phase set on 22 June provides that presidential and parliamentary elections are held by then, which has not been the case.

He told reporters that the UN remains firmly convinced that elections are the only way to renew the democratic legitimacy of all institutions in Libya.

"The United Nations’ priority in Libya remains to facilitate a return to the electoral process, based on a sound and consensual constitutional and legal basis for elections."

The official confirmed that the UN regrets the loss of several significant understandings of Libya's dialogue forum throughout 2021, calling on Libyan actors to double their efforts to maintain calm and stability at this critical juncture of Libya's history.

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