UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations Libya mediator Jan Kubis is stepping down, diplomats stated on Tuesday, lower than a 12 months after he took up the function and a month earlier than deliberate elections within the nation.
Kubis is a former Slovakian international minister who has additionally served because the U.N. particular coordinator for Lebanon and because the U.N. particular envoy in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The U.N. Safety Council accredited his appointment because the Libya particular envoy in January, succeeding Ghassan Salame, who give up the function in March final 12 months resulting from stress.
Libya descended into chaos after the NATO-backed overthrow of chief Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. In October final 12 months, the 2 main sides within the nation’s conflict – the internationally acknowledged Authorities of Nationwide Accord and Khalifa Haftar’s eastern-based Libyan Nationwide Military – agreed a ceasefire.
Parliamentary and presidential elections on Dec. 24 had been demanded by a U.N. political discussion board final 12 months as a part of a roadmap to finish Libya’s civil conflict. Nevertheless, disputes over the deliberate ballot threaten to derail the U.N.-backed peace course of.
A primary-round presidential vote is about for Dec. 24 and the parliamentary election has been delayed to January or February. Nevertheless, guidelines for the elections haven’t but been agreed.
(Reporting by Michelle Nichols, Modifying by William Maclean)
