Following a decade of war and rifts in Libya, a U.N.-facilitated dialogue led to the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in March 2021. The GNU has been tasked with leading the country toward long-awaited presidential and parliamentary elections commencing this December — elections that are crucial to Libya’s transition and could facilitate further governmental unification, community reconciliation, economic recovery and the basis for rule of law and good governance. 

English

Arabic

While the GNU has taken significant steps to arrange elections, it still faces numerous challenges related to the presence of external military powers, conflicting interests among Libyan politicians and armed groups, economic and health problems and sporadic violence. Libyan leaders, who view the elections as a means for change in the country and as a path toward a representative political system, face complex impediments that require a consultative and inclusive approach that fosters long-term stability and security in Libya. 

On December 9, USIP held the fourth in a series of public discussions with Libyan leaders connected to the elections scheduled in the coming months. These events dove into complex questions regarding efforts to prevent electoral violence, the electoral process itself and leaders’ visions for restoring peace and stability in Libya. 

This fourth event invited Mr. Abdul Majeed Saif Al-Nasr. Born in Sebha in 1957, he is former member of the National Transitional Council and former Libyan ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco (2014-2018). He was recently endorsed by the House of Representatives as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Morocco and the Maghreb region. 

Join the conversation on Twitter with #LibyaElectionsUSIP. Watch the first event in the series, a conversation with Fathi Bashagha, here. Watch the second, with Fadel Lamen, here. Watch the third, with Dr. Aref Ali Nayed, here.

Speakers

Mr. Abdul Majeed Saif Al-Nasr  
Former diplomat and Libyan politician

Dr. Mike Yaffe, moderator
Vice President, Middle East and North Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace
 

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