PARIS (AFP) – Libya was advised on Friday by world powers to stick to a plan for presidential elections on December 24, and that foreign mercenaries should depart as well, allowing the country to go on with its history.
President Emmanuel Macron of France invited leaders and diplomats for an international summit in Paris, pronouncing Libya to be at a “crossroads” that will determine its future.
Since the ouster of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a 2011 revolt, the North African country has been engulfed in civil conflict, bringing in rival Libyan factions and Islamist organisations, as well as regional countries.
The presidential election on December 24 is a key component of a United Nations strategy to help restore security, but the date has been pushed again as tensions between competing camps flare once more.
“We encourage all Libyan stakeholders and candidates to honour their obligations to organise elections on December 24, 2021 (and) to accept the results of free, fair, and inclusive elections,” the powers declared after the meeting.
The date has been a mystery since Libya’s parliament postponed parliamentary elections until January in early October.
“Libya is at a fork in the road once more. The international community has some responsibility for the ten years of chaos and turmoil that have occurred “Macron stated.
“The next six weeks will determine the outcome,” he said.