UN Libya envoy submits elections proposal amid deep divisions within national dialogue forum

The UN special envoy for Libya Jan Kubis submitted a draft proposal on Tuesday for the constitutional basis for elections to the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF).

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said in a statement that the draft proposal was completed after the LPDF's legal committee met in Tunis earlier this month.

"Special Envoy Kubis thanks the members of the Legal Committee, in particular the Drafting Team and the Rapporteurs, for their excellent work and accomplishment," UNSMIL said.

The statement added that Kunis will convene an online plenary session of the LPDF following the upcoming Muslim Eid Al-Fitr celebration to discuss the proposal.

A large number of LPDF members oppose the proposal, which recommends continuing the transitional period and delaying a referendum on the draft constitution, sources familiar with the matter told The New Arab's Arabic-language sister site.

Supporters of the draft say there is not enough time for a referendum vote and elections to be held before the transitional phase expires.

Libya descended into conflict after dictator Muammar Gaddafi was toppled and killed in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising, resulting in multiple forces vying for power.

Fighting only came to a halt last summer and a formal ceasefire established in October.

This was followed by the establishment last week of a new unity government led by interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.

The interim executive faces daunting challenges to unify the country's institutions, end a decade of fighting marked by international interference and prepare for presidential and parliamentarian elections on 24 December.

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