Libyan political rivals agree to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on December 10

Rival Libyan factions agreed on Tuesday on a declaration that would create a political framework to pave the way for U.N.-backed elections presidential and parliamentary elections on December 10, in accordance with a strong constitutional basis to end the country’s seven-year-old conflict

The Libyan political rivals agreed this at the end of their meeting in Elysée palace in Paris.

The Paris meeting included Chairman of Presidential Council Fayez Sarraj, Speaker of House of Representatives Aqailah Saleh, President of High Council of State Khaled Al-Mishri and warlord Khalifa Haftar.

Representatives from 20 countries – including Libya’s neighbours, regional and European powers, the United States and international organisations attended the meeting.

Malta was represented by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

A joint statement issued at the end of the meeting urged the House of Representatives to adopt the necessary elections laws according to the schedule agreed upon by the rivals.

“The parties have committed to set the constitutional basis for elections and adopt the necessary electoral laws by September 16, 2018, and hold parliamentary and presidential elections on December 10, 2018,”read the statement. “Any party disrupts or obstructs the electoral process shall be held accountable.” The participants agreed. They also agreed to participate in a UN-led inclusive conference to implement terms of Paris agreement. The statement also called for a gradual termination to the parallel state institutions and unifying the Central Bank of Libya.

French president, Emmanuel Macron, described the meeting as “historic.”

Report based on coverage on France24, Euronews and The Libyan Observer