Libya’s Tripoli-based chamber adopts roadmap for elections

TRIPOLI, Libya

Libya’s High Council of State, which acts as a senate, on Tuesday adopted a roadmap calling for holding elections 240 days after the approval of electoral laws, according to a local lawmaker.

“The roadmap adopted by the Tripoli-bases chamber calls for the formation of a unified government to implement the electoral process,” MP Mama Suleiman Bilal told Anadolu.

“It also provides for holding the polls 240 days after the passage of electoral laws,” he added.

The Libyan legislator, however, criticized failure of the East Libya-based parliament to approve the roadmap.

"It is clear that the House of Representatives (parliament) is unable to play its role at this critical stage,” he said.

Libya’s elections were scheduled to be held in December 2021, but differences between political rivals over who should stand in the polls and other issues prevented the vote from taking place.

Last month, the 6+6 Joint Committee, formed by Libya's parliament and the state council, announced an agreement on laws for holding the polls.

Some members of the two chambers, however, announced their opposition to the outcomes of the committee.

Libya has been torn by civil war and instability since the ouster of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi