U.N. Libya mediator quits weeks before planned election -diplomats

FILE PHOTO: German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and U.N. envoy Jan Kubis hold a news conference following a meeting on the political process in Libya at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin, Germany, March 18, 2021. Kay Nietfeld/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The United Nations Libya mediator Jan Kubis is stepping down, diplomats said on Tuesday, less than a year after he took up the role and a month before planned elections https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/libyans-pick-long-divisive-list-presidential-vote-2021-11-23 in the country.

The United Nations is informally suggesting veteran British diplomat Nicholas Kay as a replacement, said diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity. The 15-member U.N. Security Council, operating by consensus, must greenlight a new appointment.