Mohammed Abu Zaid

CAIRO: The Arab League has welcomed the consensus reached by the two delegations representing the Libyan House of Representatives and Libya’s High Council of State during a meeting hosted by Morocco in Bouznika.

The meeting was aimed at unifying Libyan institutions and top state posts in accordance with the framework regulated by the Libyan Political Agreement signed in Skhirat.

In a statement, the Arab League expressed confidence that the “significant progress” made in the talks will contribute to solving the Libyan crisis and pushing forward settlement paths sponsored by the UN, especially in terms of forming a new executive authority, unifying Libyan institutions, implementing ceasefire agreements and commencing preparations for presidential and legislative elections.

It added that the Arab League supports all national efforts by Libyans in order to reach a comprehensive political settlement in the country.

The statement also hailed the agreement reached by the two delegations representing the Libyan House of Representatives and Libya’s High Council of State during meetings hosted by Egypt in Hurghada. The meetings discussed constitutional arrangements to pave the way for elections to be held in the country by the end of the year.

The two delegations concluded the two rounds of dialogue on Saturday in the Moroccan city of Bouznika.

During the talks, which took place on Jan. 22 and 23, the two sides agreed on the formation and naming of “small action groups” to take charge of procedural steps regarding the filling of the country’s top positions.

According to the final communique, the action groups will design candidacy forms and invite candidates to submit applications in accordance with the agreed terms and criteria.

The groups will receive applications starting from midday on Jan. 26 until Feb. 2.

According to the statement, the state’s top posts include the Central Bank of Libya’s governor and deputy, the Administrative Control Authority head and deputy, the Court of Audit head and deputy, the Anti Corruption Authority’s head and deputy, and the High Commission for Elections head and members.