UN official welcomes election date in Libya

UNITED NATIONS - UN secretary-general's special representative to Libya Ian Martin has hailed the announcement of the Libyan National Congress Elections set for July 7 by the country's High National Election Commission, as an important step toward the country's recovery, a UN spokesman said here Monday.

"He said the announcement of the date was an important step toward Libya's road to recovery and democracy," UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters here during the daily news briefing.

Martin praised the Election Commission for the progress they have made in organizing a viable process, "consistent with the legal framework determined by the National Transitional Council," said Nesirky.

The elections will be the first free polls in more than 40 years for Libya, which has seen an estimated 2.7 million people already registered to vote.

The upcoming election is part of the country's process in dealing with issues such as public security, human rights, as well as tackling arms proliferation, and strengthening of border security, Martin said.

"What has been achieved so far is admirable," said Martin. "I am confident of the commitment of the Election Commission and all authorities to see an early and successful conclusion of this electoral process," Martin noted.