Sydney, 24/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 21 February, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton congratulated the Libyan people on the previous day's elections for the Constitutional Drafting Assembly, which was marked by a number of incidents. In a press release, her spokesperson underlined that “the Libyan people have demonstrated once again their commitment to a new Libya based on respect for democratic principles and fundamental freedoms”. The spokesperson also stated that the high representative also commends the High National Electoral Commission for all the efforts to conduct the elections in such challenging circumstances. The Constitutional Drafting Assembly's 60 members will bear great responsibility for drafting Libya's first democratic constitution. The spokesman said that “the EU looks to this Assembly to act in a spirit of inclusiveness, to protect and promote the rights of all Libyans and to actively reach out also to those that did not participate in the elections”.
The High Representative regrets and condemns the “violent incidents” in certain parts of the country, which deprived voters of their “basic democratic right”. The spokesperson emphasised that “the achievements accomplished by the Libyan people so far in consolidating democracy cannot be undermined by a few individuals seeking to disrupt the transition process”. The voter turnout rate in the elections was only 45%. (CG/transl.fl)