U.N. praises Libya's election law adoption

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TRIPOLI, Libya, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- The adoption of new electoral laws in Libya is a key step to the country's transition to democracy, the U.N. political mission in Libya said Thursday.

Reports indicate Libyan officials on Wednesday finalized the laws that detail how elections for a national assembly later this year will be conducted, the United Nations said in a release.

The national assembly will have the task of drawing up a new constitution.

"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," the U.N. Support Mission in Libya said in a statement from Tripoli.

The mission called the adoption of the new election laws "an important step in Libya's transition to democracy."

The mission stressed that the electoral process was Libyan-led. The U.N. unit said it provided technical assistance to the National Transitional Council and was ready to help the newly created Higher National Electoral Commission.

"[The U.N. Support Mission in Libya] remains committed, as mandated by the U.N. 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.