New York, US - The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Thursday welcomed the North African country’s adoption of new electoral laws, describing the move as ``an important step in Libya’s transition to democracy'.

Media reports said that Libyan authorities on Wednesday finalized the laws governing elections later this year to choose a national assembly, which will have the task of drawing up a new constitution.

In a statement, made available to PANA in New York, the mission expressed happiness that the electoral process, including the drafting of the new laws, is Libyan-led.

It said: ``The mission has provided technical assistance to the National Transitional Council (NTC) and is ready to assist the newly-created Higher National Electoral Commission'.

It noted that, ``the first free election for over four decades will provide an opportunity for Libyans to exercise their democratic rights to participate in a process which will shape the future of their country'.

``UNSMIL remains committed, as mandated by the UN Security Council, to assist and support Libyan national efforts to undertake political dialogue, promote national
reconciliation and embark upon the electoral process,' the statement said.

It also stated that UNSMIL’s head, Ian Martin, who is also the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya, travelled to the coastal city of Sirte on Wednesday to meet with representatives of the local council, the military council and civil society.

Sirte was one of the cities hit hardest during the fighting last year.

It quoted Martin as saying, ``I wanted to see for myself the extent of destruction this city suffered as a result of the war', adding that, ``amid this destruction, I was deeply impressed by the efforts of the people who have already done much to bring life back to the city, with as yet little support'.

He, however, noted that local council members told him that their biggest concerns now included education, health care, reconstruction, mine action, clarifying the fate of those still missing since the conflict ended, and the situation facing internally-displaced persons (IDPs).

The statement further said that Martin would return to Sirte in the coming days to discuss further how the world body could assist in the reconstruction and recovery of the city.

Pana 10/02/2012