TRIPOLI, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Four representatives from eastern Libya and four from the west agreed Wednesday on how to reconstitute the country's electoral commission during a United Nations-sponsored meeting in Rome, according to a UN statement.
The eight-member working group met for the first time under the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). It was formed to address the first steps of the UN roadmap aimed at breaking Libya's long-running political deadlock.
Participants said they want to ensure Libyans can choose their leaders through elections and move past the stalled political process, the statement said.
The group agreed on a new structure for the board of the High National Electoral Commission. To resolve a dispute over its leadership, they proposed that Libya's public prosecutor nominate a judge "known for competence, integrity, and neutrality," to be appointed through legal procedures.
They also agreed that the board would include three members from the House of Representatives and three from the High Council of State.
The meeting also covered the legal framework for elections. Members said they would continue UN-backed talks to reach an agreement on election laws that could allow national voting to take place.
UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh said Monday the process will follow a two-step approach, starting with a smaller meeting to address key obstacles in the UN political roadmap, followed if needed by broader talks based on existing agreements.
She said the smaller meetings are meant to support, not replace, the main dialogue process, focusing on issues such as the election rules and the makeup of the electoral commission.
Efforts continue to move Libya toward long-delayed national elections. ■