UN announces initiative to move Libya to a national election [Video]

UNITED NATIONS –

The top UN official in Libya announced a new initiative Monday to overcome a three-year deadlock and move the divided oil-rich North African nation toward a national election.

The UN deputy special envoy for Libya, Stephanie Koury, told the UN Security Council that as a first step, the UN political mission in Libya known as UNSMIL intends to establish an advisory committee, with a deadline to develop options to resolve outstanding electoral issues and a road map for holding an election.

“The committee will be composed of experts and respected personalities, who are reflective of the spectrum of Libyan political forces, social, cultural and geographical components,” she said.

Koury stressed that the committee isn’t “a dialogue group to take decisions,” but to generate options for follow-on action by Libyan decision-makers.

Libya plunged into chaos after a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. The country split, …