Representatives of Libya's rival governments signed an agreement on August 24 to hold national elections within the next two years, aiming to end the country's prolonged political division.
The deal stipulates that legislative and presidential elections will be held under a unified executive authority within "a period not exceeding 24 months," according to Walid Ellafi, minister for political and communication affairs in the internationally recognized Government of National Unity based in Tripoli.
The signing ceremony took place at the headquarters of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in Tripoli, following the initial draft signed by the UN-backed "4+4" committee in Tunis on August 20. This committee comprises four representatives from the eastern-based House of Representatives and four from the High Council of State affiliated with the Government of National Unity in the west.
Libya has been divided since 2014 between two rival authorities: the internationally recognized government and an eastern administration backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar. Shibani AbuHamoud, head of Haftar's forces delegation, said they would coordinate with UNSMIL to establish "a framework within one month after signing the agreement to monitor all matters related to implementation."
However, the agreement also states that if the House of Representatives and the High Council of State do not ratify it within one month, it will be adopted by the parties as a constitutional document and receive international backing through the UN Security Council.
Despite this, skepticism remains about the deal's prospects. Analysts argue that the core issue of who will lead Libya during the transitional period remains unresolved, as the person in power will control national resources and face a volatile security environment.
The United Nations and mediators have sought to unify Libya since 2011, following the uprising that toppled and killed leader Muammar Gaddafi. However, implementation of agreements remains the biggest challenge, as presidential elections have repeatedly been postponed due to political disagreements.
