Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Ghassan Salame ruled out holding Presidential and parliamentary elections any time soon in Libya.
During a Wednesday press conference with Italian Foreign minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi in Rome, Salame said it is not possible to organize elections in Libya amid the ongoing conflict.
He added that the Libyan crisis has no alterative solution but the political and peaceful one. He urged all Libyan factions to avoid any further escalations.
Salame expressed hope that the UN efforts and communications with Libyan parties during the past period would make positive results, especially before the holy month of Ramadan.
He said a ceasefire could be reached to halt the fighting soon.
He also emphasized that Libya still has a chance to hold a dialogue between disputing parties; “However it will take a lot of time and support” according to the UN Envoy.
He added that the UN is working hard on preventing the arrival of new weapons to Libya.
In a Monday interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Salame described the ongoing conflict in Libya as “selfish and useless.”
He also said the Libyan National forum cannot be held at this time; however “it is still a necessity on the long term.”
