Representatives from eastern and western Libya reached agreement on Wednesday to restructure the country’s electoral Commission during a UN-sponsored meeting in Rome, marking a step forward in efforts to resolve Libya’s prolonged political impasse.
The Meetings of the Libyan “4+4” committee, convened under the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, agreed on a new framework for the board of the High National Electoral Commission. To break a deadlock over leadership, participants proposed that Libya’s public prosecutor nominate a judge deemed competent, neutral and of high integrity, to be appointed through formal legal procedures.
The reconstituted board is expected to include three representatives each from the House of Representatives and the High Council of State, reflecting a balance between rival political factions. Discussions also addressed the legal framework for elections, with members committing to continued UN-backed negotiations aimed at enabling long-delayed national polls.
Hanna Tetteh outlined a two-step approach to the process, beginning with focused consultations to resolve key obstacles in the UN roadmap, followed by broader dialogue if necessary. She emphasised that the smaller engagements are designed to complement—not replace—the main political process, with priority given to electoral laws and institutional arrangements.
The Rome meeting signals cautious momentum in international efforts to steer Libya towards credible elections and political stability.
