World powers meet to push for elections in politically fragile Libya

Protesters

Protesters hold political banners and Libyan flags at Martyrs' Square in Tripoli, Libya, February 5, 2021.  FILE PHOTO | REUTERS

World powers meet in France on Friday to push for elections in Libya by year-end and endorse efforts to remove foreign forces from the oil-producing nation despite growing political wrangling that threatens to unravel a year-long peace process. 

Libya's election targeted for December 24 was set through a UN backed roadmap adopted last year that also established an interim unity government to take over from rival administrations in east and west that had been warring for years.