Libyan MPs call for polls before Feb 2018

benghazi — Libya’s parliament wants presidential and legislative elections to be held within a year, keeping up its rejection of a UN-backed unity government in Tripoli, a spokesman said on Wednesday.

The legislative body based in Libya’s far east has asked for polling before February 2018, Fathi Al Mrimi told the Lana news agency loyal to the eastern authorities. The legislature has refused to recognise the Tripolibased Government of National Accord (GNA).

Parliament speaker Aguila Salah has written to Libya’s electoral commission asking for elections. “In view of the difficult conditions the country is going through and the current political chaos, we ask you to take all the necessary measures to prepare holding presidential and parliamentary elections before February 2018,” he said.