Libya: Sarraj calls for national conference before elections

Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya and Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord, Fayez Al-Sarraj, said yesterday that a national conference that includes all Libyan forces and parties should take place before elections are held.

Speaking at the Arab-European summit in Egypt’s resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, Al-Sarraj said attendees should discuss and agree on ways to break the current political impasse.

“The solution to the Libyan crisis lies in the holding of elections on a sound constitutional basis that separates power rivals and allows the people to speak through the ballot boxes,” he said.

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“However, before the elections, a national conference should be held where representatives from all directions, components and regions discuss ways to break the current political impasse,” he added.

Al-Sarraj stressed on the importance of the sovereign and vital institutions’ unity, especially the military establishment as well as “to stop negative external interventions that encourage some parties not to adhere to the democratic process”.