Western embassies support review of presidential candidates in Libya

Tripoli, Nov 25 (IANS) Some Western embassies in Libya expressed support for the judicial review of presidential candidates in the country, calling upon all parties to respect the decisions to enable what they described as "fair and credible elections" slated for December.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the embassies of France, Germany, Italy, Britain and the US in Libya reaffirmed their support for stability in Libya and their "commitment to a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process facilitated by the UN."

Libya is set to hold the presidential elections on December 24 as part of a roadmap adopted by the UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in February, Xinhua news agency reported.

The High National Elections Commission on Wednesday announced that 25 out of 98 candidates for the presidential election have been disqualified based on recommendations of the Attorney General, Criminal Investigation Department, and the Citizenship and Passport Department.

The commission also published a primary list of presidential candidates containing 73 individuals.

The North African country has been ripped apart by violence since the fall and death of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, in the aftermath of Western intervention.