The so-called ‘Mini Meeting’ to discuss the first two steps of the UN Roadmap held its first meeting yesterday in Rome under the auspices of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), hosted by the Republic of Italy.
UNSMIL reported that the discussions took place in a constructive and serious atmosphere, during which the participants expressed the need to respond to the will of the Libyans, 2.8 million of whom are registered in the electoral registers, to choose their powers through the ballot box.
They also stressed the need to end the political deadlock that has prevented the progress of the electoral process. In response to the aspirations of Libyans, the attendees reached an agreement on the restructuring of the Council of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) according to the following:
In order to address the dispute over the Chairman of HNEC, the Mini Meeting recommends that the Attorney General nominate a judicial person known for his competence, integrity and impartiality, provided that he is appointed in accordance with the rules in force.
This is to take into account the procedures of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State in their sessions held respectively on December 29, 2025 and January 12, 2026, naming the following to the new HNEC: Ali Taya Abdel Gawad, Haitham Ali Al-Tabouli, and Ali Abu Salah for the House of Representatives; Mrs. Sanaa Al-Lishani, Mr. Badawi Mohamed Badaiwi, and Mr. Ali Miftah Al-Mabrouk on behalf of the Supreme Council of State,
The members of the Mini Meeting also began to discuss issues related to the electoral framework and agreed to continue their consultations, facilitated by UNSMIL, to reach consensual and enforceable electoral laws that meet the aspirations of Libyan women and Libyans to hold national elections.
It will be recalled that during her briefing to the Security Council last February, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Hannah Tette, announced a two-step approach to overcome the inability of the two legislatures to reach an agreement on the completion of the HNEC and the amendment of electoral laws. The Micro Meeting is the first step in this approach.
Commenting on the Rome meeting, Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs, Walid Lafi, told the state Al-Wataniya TV channel ‘‘What was achieved during today’s meeting represents important progress and an advanced step towards overcoming one of the most prominent obstacles that hindered access to the elections.
Direct bilateral dialogue has once again proved to be the most effective and realistic option in bringing views closer and addressing points of political disagreement.
The positive atmosphere that prevailed at the meeting strengthened optimism that it is possible to complete the treatment of the remaining obstacles and push the political process towards more advanced stages’’.
