A consortium of 18 Libyan political parties and movements issued a joint statement yesterday addressed to the House of Representatives (HoR) demanding them to include a paragraph in the Presidential and Parliamentary elections laws that those who signed pledges at the LPDF in Geneva when joining the interim Presidential Council and the interim Government of National Unity (GNU) and are therefore not entitled to run for the post of the Head of State or the membership of the next Parliament.
The joint statement congratulated the Parliament for the issuance of the two elections laws, namely the Presidential and Parliamentary elections. However, they emphasized it was necessary to add a paragraph that stated explicitly that those who signed pledges at the LPDF in Geneva upon taking office whether with the interim Presidential Council or with the interim GNU, were thereby disqualified from running in the 24 December elections.
AlMarsad publishes an English translation of the letter in full:
Letter by the Libyan National Parties and Movements
to the Libyan House of Representatives
Honorable Head and Members of the Libyan House of Representatives
Tobruk
State of Libya
Further to our best greetings,
While the national political parties, movements and organizations, signatories to this letter, hereby, commend the work accomplished by the House of Representatives (HoR) to issue the necessary legislation for holding the Presidential and Parliamentary general elections on 24 December 2021, to realize the dream of the Libyan people in electing their first President, and to ensure the renewal of the institution of the legislative authority to preserve Libya’s unity, stability and security;
And while we highly appreciate the positive role played by all stakeholders in implementing the will of the Libyan people and the electoral legislation in accordance with the constitutional rules, applicable laws and recognized international standards, and their commitment to hold the Presidential and Parliamentary general elections on their stipulated date on 24 December, 2021, in accordance with the outputs of the Berlin Conference I and II, the UN Security Council Resolution No. 2570, the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) Tunis Agreement, and the Roadmap for the Preparatory Phase for a Comprehensive Solution that was concluded in Geneva;
On this occasion, we strongly affirm the demand that a paragraph be included in the Presidential and Parliamentary elections laws that those who signed pledges from those who were among the applicants on the lists of choosing the Presidential Council and the Prime Minister of the Government at the LPDF in Geneva, are conclusively not entitled to run for the post of the Head of State or the membership of the next Parliament.
It is equally important to draw your kind attention to the necessity for the concerned individuals to abide by the outputs of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), which resulted in the agreement to hold elections and form the Interim Presidential Council (PC) and the Interim Government of National Unity (GNU), particularly in relation to abstaining from running for presidential or parliamentary elections, and emphasizing that they should not be allowed to do so out of respect for the Libyan people first and their commitments and pledges secondly.
In conclusion, we are aware of the magnitude of the challenges facing the State of Libya and the Libyan people, but we are confident that overcoming this stage will only happen by holding Presidential and Parliamentary elections on time, which will not fail the Libyans aspiring to exercise their inherent right to democratically choose their governing authorities with full freedom, transparency and integrity.
God Bless You All
May God Save Libya
May peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you
Issued on 4 October 2021
SIGNATORIES
| 1 | Civil Democratic Party | 2 | Center National Party |
| 3 | Ihya Libya Movement | 4 | National Forces Alliance |
| 5 | Libyan Future Movement | 6 | National Movement for Democratization |
| 7 | National Movement for Libya | 8 | Libya for All Stream |
| 9 | Youth for Change Party | 10 | December 24 Movement |
| 11 | Libya’s Women Union | 12 | Derna Women’s Union |
| 13 | Movement for the Twenty Fourth of December | 14 | Libya Elects its President Movement |
| 15 | Who Are We Movement | 16 | National Movement Party |
| 17 | Together for the Homeland Gathering | 18 | Libyan Network for Supporting and Empowering Women |
Source: www.almarsad.co