U.N. warns not holding Libya elections could fuel further conflict

FILE PHOTO: People sign papers to recommend the candidacy of Libya's eastern commander Khalifa Haftar in the presidential elections, in front of the Libya Karama Party headquarters, in Benghazi, Libya November 9, 2021. Picture taken November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori/File Photo

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Outgoing United Nations Libya mediator Jan Kubis warned on Wednesday that not holding planned elections in the country could "greatly deteriorate" the situation and lead to further division and conflict.

A U.N. political forum last year demanded parliamentary and presidential elections on Dec. 24 as part of a roadmap to end Libya's civil war. A first-round presidential vote is set for Dec. 24, however the parliamentary election has been delayed to January or February.