Libyan Prime Minister: We want free and fair elections without imposing solutions to the political crisis by force

Tunis, July 18 (KUNA) -- Libyan National Unity Government (NUG) Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah affirmed on Saturday that his government seeks to build a civil state and to abide by the people’s will in holding free and fair elections, away from imposing solutions to the political crisis by force. The Libyan News Agency reported that this statement came during a cabinet meeting held on Saturday in Zliten, east of Tripoli, where Dbeibah clarified that local and international initiatives aimed at unifying the country and creating conditions for elections are still ongoing. He stressed that serious and responsible dialogue is the only way to address differences among Libyans by listening to various opinions and perspectives in a national discussion involving municipalities, political parties, political forces, and civil society institutions. He also affirmed that no decision concerning Libya’s future would be made away from Libyans or imposed on them, in reference to the American initiative led by U.S. President’s African Affairs Advisor Masoud Bolus, which aims to unify the executive authority between eastern and western Libya. Dbeibah clarified that his government is engaging with that initiative and with all local initiatives, announcing on this occasion that he would deliver a speech to the Libyan people, in which he would frankly disclose the various initiatives and ideas put forward. (End) Sh.B.M./A.M.S.