UN envoy: Libyans await many answers about their country’s future

The opening session of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, under the auspices of the United Nations, kicked off in Geneva on Monday in order to select members of the executive authority (the Presidency Council and the next government).

In a speech during the session, the UN Acting Envoy, Stephanie Wilmayaz, praised the progress during this arduous journey of political dialogue, and overcoming of many challenges by the Libyan participants.

She also made clear that the Libyan people need the success of political efforts and a solution to the crisis, adding that the Libyans are waiting for their officials to answer many questions about the country's future.

In addition, she stressed that a lot of work awaits the meeting, but she said, "We have a real opportunity now to choose a unified executive authority."

She indicated that all candidates for the Presidency Council will present their programs today, and the candidates are expected to answer questions collected by the mission yesterday, from nearly 1,000 Libyan citizens on basic issues concerned with the country's future.

Of note, the participants in the dialogue that began last November under the auspices of the United Nations, will meet today 1 till 5 February in Switzerland, "to vote on the composition of the Presidency Council, which will consist of three members and a Prime Minister, assisted by two deputies," according to the United Nations.

The groups loyal to the head of the Government of National Accord, Fayez al-Sarraj, from the brigades of the western region and the western mountain, quickly declared their rejection of the outcomes of the political dialogue and the government to be formed.

On Saturday, the UN mission announced the list of candidates for the transitional presidential council and the post of prime minister, who will have to be appointed to ensure the transition process by the next December elections.

This transitional council must also "reunite state institutions and ensure security" until the elections scheduled for December 24^th.

The Libyan crisis is still stagnant, despite the multiple paths of the Libyan solution that have been held in many countries, between varying optimism and efforts to end the crisis, external interference and the presence of foreign forces and mercenaries remain an obstacle that these talks were unable to end.

J.O