The United Nations is organizing a new meeting of Libyan experts to address the deadlock surrounding the country’s long-awaited national elections, which have been delayed for over two years. The initiative aims to resolve key issues in the electoral laws and establish a clear framework for governance, according to a statement released by the acting head of the UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Stephanie Koury, on Sunday.
Koury explained that the experts would be tasked with developing solutions to contentious aspects of the electoral process, which has been a major stumbling block in Libya’s transition towards stability. In addition, the committee will work on creating a framework for governance, outlining key milestones and priorities for a government that is consensually established by all parties.

Libya has faced significant challenges in holding elections due to political divisions, security concerns, and disputes over electoral laws. National elections, initially scheduled for December 2021, were postponed amid disagreements over the eligibility of major candidates and the failure to agree on electoral laws. These delays have deepened the political crisis, with the country continuing to be split between two rival administrations — one based in the capital Tripoli in the west, and the other in Tobruk in the east. The political fragmentation has been further exacerbated by the involvement of armed groups and foreign powers, complicating efforts to unify the country.
In August 2024, the Libyan parliament, based in Tobruk, voted to end the mandate of the Tripoli-based government led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. The move sparked further tensions between the two factions, with Dbeibeh refusing to step down and claiming that his mandate would only end after the holding of national elections.
The United Nations has been attempting to mediate between the two factions through a political process, known as the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, which has struggled to make significant progress. Despite multiple ceasefire agreements and talks, a unified government has yet to be established, and state institutions remain divided.

The UN’s push for elections is seen as a crucial step towards establishing a single national government, military, and the reunification of state institutions, which would be a vital step in ending more than a decade of conflict since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The new meeting of experts is part of ongoing international efforts to support Libya’s political transition, although skepticism remains over the success of these initiatives, given the entrenched political and military rivalries in the country. For many Libyans, the goal is a peaceful and democratic resolution that can end the instability and pave the way for a unified future. However, with rival factions maintaining control over different regions and military influence still strong, the road to credible and inclusive elections remains uncertain.