Libya’s political crisis has taken on an increasingly international dimension after the UK was accused of defending corruption and interfering in internal processes by calling for the interim government to remain in power pending the rescheduling of delayed elections. The country’s first presidential elections, scheduled for 24 December, were indefinitely postponed at the last minute, largely because fierce disagreements over who should be allowed to stand had not been resolved. In response the foreign affairs committee of the House of Representatives, Libya’s parliament, accused the UK ambassador, Caroline Hurndall, of violating diplomatic norms and unwarranted interference. Various factions and international powers are jockeying for position, amid concerns the political vacuum will lead to the resumption of fighting. Analysts have suggested his rivals may wish to exploit the delay in order to put him out of the picture.

Source: Libya Today December 26, 2021 16:57 UTC