Libya has been divided between two opposing governments for over a decade. The United Nations has facilitated an agreement between these governments to hold parliamentary and presidential elections within the next two years. The UN's Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) stated that this agreement is a significant step toward advancing Libya toward national elections and ending the transitional period. The electoral commission will be restructured, and previous disagreements regarding the legal framework for the elections have been resolved, according to the UN.
Since the overthrow of former dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, Libya has been split between the Government of National Unity, based in Tripoli in the west, and the House of Representatives, located in Tobruk in the east. Khalifa Haftar, a former warlord turned politician, leads the eastern government, while Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah heads the western government. Both factions are supported by various local militias and foreign powers.
Andreas Dittmann, a conflict expert at the University of Giessen in Germany, expressed optimism about the apparent unity, noting that the desire among Libyans to end the fighting has grown. He pointed out that foreign support has shifted to favor a unified approach involving both sides.
The UN is not only focused on scheduling elections but also aims to strengthen the electoral commission and develop electoral laws. The UN has initiated