UN security council appeals for peaceful vote in Libya

The UN security council urged Libyans to ensure that their national elections are held peacefully on Wednesday, warning that they are important to Tripoli's transition to stable democratic rule.

In a statement, council members "emphasised that these elections are an important step in Libya's transition towards stable democratic governance and an opportunity for the Libyan people to select a transitional government that meets their legitimate aspirations".

Wednesday's vote is seen as crucial for the future of the country hit by months of political chaos and growing unrest, particularly following the launch of rogue ex-general Khalifa Haftar's offensive last month. 

The 15-member panel "called on all parties in Libya to ensure that elections take place peacefully across the whole country and that all Libyans are able to exercise their rights to participate in these elections".

Members also urged all political forces to reject violence "to engage in dialogue in order to forge consensus on the next steps and priorities of the democratic transition."

In the past few weeks, Libya has been rocked by a crisis that saw two rival cabinets jostling for power while violence raged in the east, where a rogue general is battling Islamists.

Militias that helped topple dictator Muammar Gaddafi in the 2011 Nato-backed uprising have been blamed for violence that has continued unabated since the end of the revolt.