By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 10 June 2014:
Both the United Nations and Italy have welcomed the Libyan Supreme Court’s ruling on the . . .[restrict]election of Ahmed Maetig and have vowed to stand by Libya as it struggles to establish a democratic government.
The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, said she was hopeful that the political climate in the country would now improve as Libyans continued the democratic process.
“I appreciate the determination expressed by the parties to accept the decision,” she said of yesterday’s ruling, “and I am sure this can contribute to the political climate in the country. Now it is important to focus on the forthcoming parliamentary elections of 25 June,” she urged.
Mogherini went on to encourage Libyans to take an active role in national dialogue and reconciliation.
“The Conference on National Dialogue that UNSMIL is convening immediately before the election with the strong support of the special envoys of Italy and other friendly countries, is an important step toward national reconciliation,” she said.
“National reconciliation and drafting of the Constitution are the instruments through which the Libyan people can overcome the dramatic problems they are facing,” she added.
Tarek Mitri, the head of the UN mission in Libya, also welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling on Maetig’s election and saw the acceptance of it as a “sign of hope”.
Reporting to the UN Security Council in New York, he admitted that the ruling does not solve the political crisis, but that it would at least pave the way for a resumption of a normal political process.
Like Mogherini, Mitri said that UN-facilitated dialogue was “more crucial than ever” as the country prepared for the 25 June election to replace the General National Congress.
He cautioned against the use of force which would have “disastrous consequences” for the country.
“The stakes are high and we will spare no effort in helping to prevent Libya’s descent into greater instability and violence,” Mitri told the Security Council. [/restrict]
