Whilst the leaders that attended the Libyan conference in Paris on Friday voiced their support for upcoming elections, there are fears that other political actors could derail them. In a statement, participants at the Paris conference expressed their support to holding “free, fair, inclusive and credible presidential and parliamentary elections” on Dec. 24. Powerful military commander – and potential presidential candidate – Khalifa Hifter has pledged to initiate the withdrawal of the first batch of foreign fighters from areas they control. On Thursday a leading rights group had questioned whether Libyan authorities are capable of holding free and fair elections. Other obstacles include the deep rift that remains between the country’s east and west and the presence of thousands of foreign fighters and troops.

Source: Libya Today November 27, 2021 21:09 UTC