Top UN envoy congratulates new head of Libya's highest legislative body

The top United Nations envoy in Libya today congratulated Nouri Ali Busahmin on his election as President of the General National Congress – the country's highest legislative authority.

Tarek Mitri, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Libya, also reiterated the readiness of the UN to continue to offer advice and technical assistance to the new President, the General National Congress and the Government “to support the building of the State's legitimate institutions and the democratic transition according to Libyan national priorities.”

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), headed by Mr. Mitri, has been supporting the efforts of the Government and people of the North African nation to ensure the success of the democratic transition process, which has been under way since the toppling of Muammar al-Qadhafi two years ago.

The former leader ruled the country for more than 40 years until a pro-democracy uprising in 2011 – similar to the protests in other countries in the Middle East and North Africa – led to civil war and the end of his regime.

The Congress was elected in 2012, replacing the National Transitional Council that served as a transitional Government following the revolution.

Its previous leader, Mohammad el-Magariaf, stepped down last month after the enactment of a new law barring anyone who held a senior post under the Qadhafi regime from holding public office for 10 years.