Libyans tired of temporary solutions: Libya's UN envoy

TRIPOLI

Libya's envoy to the UN has said Libyans are tired of "temporary stages" and hoping to end the conflict and reach elections and "a permanent constitution".

This came during talks with the Secretary-General of the UN Antonio Guterres on Wednesday evening in New York on the sidelines of the 75th session of the General Assembly, according to the statement of the permanent UN mission to Libya.

"Whatever the proposed solutions and initiatives, the Libyans are tired of the temporary stages and they seek solutions that lead to a permanent constitution and elections as well," Ambassador Taher El-Sonni said.

He also presented a proposal for national reconciliation and transitional justice in coordination with the African Union.

In turn, Guterres stressed his keenness to support political process and stability of Libya and his endeavor to speed up the nomination of the secretary-general's special envoy to Libya [succeeding Ghassan Salame, who resigned due to health reasons in March].

Libya has been torn by civil war since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Libya's new government was founded in 2015 under a UN-led agreement, but efforts for a long-term political settlement failed due to the military offensive by the warlord Khalifa Haftar’s forces.

* Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara.