Libyan Rival Factions Reach Landmark Agreement to Hold National Elections Within Two Years

Representatives of Libya’s rival governments have officially signed a deal aimed at conducting national elections within a two-year timeframe, bridging years of deep political division.

According to Walid Ellafi, state minister of political affairs and communications in the internationally recognised Government of National Unity based in Tripoli, the agreement stipulates that legislative and presidential elections will occur under a single executive authority within a period not exceeding 24 months.

The signing ceremony took place in Tripoli at the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), following an initial draft signed in Tunis on August 20 by the UN-backed "4+4 committee". This committee comprised four representatives from the House of Representatives in eastern Libya and four from the High Council of State in the west.

Libya has remained fractured since 2014 between two opposing administrations: the internationally recognised government and an eastern administration supported by renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar. Shibani AbuHamoud, head of the general delegation of Haftar’s forces, stated they would collaborate with UNSMIL on a framework within one month of the signing to oversee implementation.

The agreement outlines that if the House of Representatives and the High Council of State fail to approve the deal within a month, it will be adopted nationally as a constitutional document with international backing through the UN Security Council.

Despite this development, scepticism persists regarding the pact's long-term success. Analysts point out that the critical issue of interim governance remains unresolved, as whoever controls the country will also manage its resources and navigate a volatile security environment. Efforts by the UN and other mediators to unify Libya have faced continuous implementation hurdles since the 2011 rebellion that toppled and killed leader Muammar Gaddafi, with previous presidential elections repeatedly stalled due to political disputes.