Libya’s parliament speaker urges unified government to prepare for elections

TRIPOLI, Libya

Libya’s Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh urged the formation of a unified government Wednesday to prepare for elections, according to a statement by parliament spokesman Abdullah Blehaq.

Saleh made the request during a meeting with British Ambassador Caroline Hurndall in the eastern city of al-Qubah.

Talks focused on a host of issues, including efforts aimed at holding presidential and parliamentary elections.

Libya’s 6+6 Joint Committee, jointly formed by the East Libya-based parliament and Tripoli-based High Council to prepare electoral laws, reached an agreement last week during a meeting in Morocco to start finalizing election laws to hold the polls.

Committee spokesman Omar Abu Buleifa said it was agreed that legislative power will consist of two chambers -- the House of Representatives and the Senate. He cited progress on related issues such as the number of parliamentary seats and their distribution, women's representation and dealing with election violations.

Legislative and presidential elections will be held simultaneously, ensuring a comprehensive electoral procedure, added Abu Buleifa.

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

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar