During a press conference, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, pointed out that Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of HM the King, continues to support the UN efforts to settle the institutional crisis in Libya.

"The High Instructions of His Majesty the King are clear in supporting all the efforts of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General aimed at getting Libya out of this institutional crisis that it has been facing for several years."

“The Kingdom of Morocco reiterates its support to Mr. Bathily for his relevant efforts, in accordance with a reasoned approach based on trust and support to Libyans so that they can, themselves, settle their problems,” he added.

Mr. Nasser Bourita stressed that the credibility and trust enjoyed by Mr. Bathily among all Libyan parties constitute "the best proof" that his approach of listening and bringing together points of view ahead of holding the presidential and legislative elections, would settle this institutional crisis.

In this regard, the minister noted that Morocco still considers that holding elections remains the most appropriate solution to this institutional crisis, affirming that these elections should constitute the starting point of a new phase in this brotherly country, focused on stability, legitimacy and meeting the needs of the Libyan people.

“There is now a legal framework thanks to the meetings held in Bouznika which resulted in the promulgation of electoral laws, which were not in place when the elections were announced on December 24, 2021,” Bourita said, adding that this legal framework, although not ideal, remains the best possible option for holding these elections.

The minister also recalled that the Kingdom, which hosted several meetings between the Libyan parties, has continuously endeavored to bring together their points of view without interfering in their internal affairs.

“Today, the Kingdom is willing to support the momentum that Mr. Bathily wishes to launch in order to enrich the existing legal framework through institutional political compromises,” he said, adding that the implementation of these compromises will make it possible to launch the phase of organizing the elections.

MR. Bourita also noted that Morocco constantly stresses that the Libyan crisis settlement will not come from outside, but from the Libyans themselves, which has earned the Kingdom credibility with the Libyan parties.

“The Kingdom is ready to support Mr. Bathily in the advancement of the political process in Libya,” the minister underlined, expressing his hope that the relevant ideas could materialize into initiatives, then into compromises and solutions which would lead to holding the elections.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Libya, Mr. Abdoulaye Bathily, highlighted Morocco's role in the success of the inter-Libyan dialogue, particularly through the Kingdom's commitment to the electoral process in this country.

"We are delighted with the results achieved thanks to Morocco’s support and we hope that the Kingdom will continue to support this political process, especially as we are in the process of implementing the organic laws of elections and related agreements."

He noted that monitoring the implementation of these laws in a country plagued by tensions and conflicts like Libya necessarily requires reaching agreements based on good faith between political stakeholders.

In this regard, Mr. Bathily stressed the need to reach "consensual solutions as quickly as possible", given that "the current situation cannot continue any longer and involves major risks".

Despite a regional context marked by tensions, the Libyan people and the international community aspire to promote peace in this country, the UN official underlined, highlighting the repercussions of this tension on security in the region and the world, given the geostrategic position of Libya.

Morocco hosted, from May 22 to June 6, 2023, the meeting of the Libyan 6+6 joint commission entrusted by the Libyan House of Representatives and the High Council of State to devise the electoral laws for legislative and presidential elections in Libya.

After two weeks of meetings in Bouznika, the members of this commission reached a compromise regarding the laws governing presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled for the end of this year.