On Monday, the Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, Ageela Saleh held a meeting with the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily in Al-Qubba city.

They discussed the latest political developments, and ways to end the current crisis.

Bathily reiterated his keenness to help restore stability to Libya, “in a way that helps it to restore its regional balance and maintain its peace and security.”

On Sunday, Bathily met with the Head of the Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Mnifi, and Prime Minister, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba in Tripoli.

He stressed that he will lead the United Nations’ good offices and mediation efforts to reach a sustainable and peaceful Libyan-led and Libyan-owned solution. As well as noting that the UN remains committed to supporting Libya in holding inclusive Presidential and Parliamentary elections. “The will of the millions of Libyan people who registered to vote should be respected,” he concluded.

The UN Envoy will also conduct meetings with the High Council of State (HCS), and a number of political parties and NGO’s.

In September, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres announced the appointment of Bathily as his new envoy for Libya. Guterres’s decision came after a nine-month search amid increasing chaos in the oil-rich country.

The last UN Special Representative, Ján Kubiš resigned on 23 November 2021, after 10 months on the job. A number of candidates proposed by Guterres were rejected by Security Council members, Libya, or neighbouring countries.

Libya’s rival governments welcomed the appointment of Bathily, pledging to work to facilitate his mission in Libya.

The government emphasised that an agreement between the Parliament and the HCS was “the only way to reach a unified executive authority able to hold Presidential and Parliamentary elections.”

On 10 February 2022, the Libyan Parliament announced the unanimous appointment of Fathi Bashagha as the new Prime Minister. Incumbent PM, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba warned that the appointment of a new interim government could lead to war and chaos in the country. He renewed his pledge to only hand power over to an elected government.