UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Thursday to extend the U.N. political mission in Libya until after the country’s critical presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for late December. However, the UN’s most powerful body remained divided over the withdrawal of all mercenaries and foreign forces from the oil-rich North African nation and the mission’s leadership. The vote extended the current mission until Jan. 31 to ensure the United Nations can continue supporting Libya’s transitional government. Thursday’s vote postponed a Security Council statement on mercenaries and foreign fighters and Kubis’ base. In May 2020, the panel said Wagner provided between 800 and 1,200 mercenaries to support Hifter, the eastern Libyan commander.
