The head of Libya’s transitional government of national unity, Abdelhamid Dbeiba, on Friday called on Libyans to take part in local elections, the first phase of which begins on Saturday.

In a video posted on his Facebook account, Dbeiba said: “Tomorrow the elections will be held in 58 municipalities, and this is a historic day, and these municipalities are the first stage, which will be followed by another stage. On this occasion, I call on all Libyans to participate strongly in these elections and elect the best people to run their local councils, who will serve them in all regions.

Libya’s High National Elections Commission (HNEC) is preparing to hold elections for 58 local councils in eastern, western and southern Libya on Saturday, as part of the first phase of local elections organised by the commission for the first time.