The former UN envoy to Libya, Tarek Mitri, said that elections in Libya could exacerbate division in Libya.

In a statement to the Lebanese newspaper "L'Orient Le Jour ", Mitri pointed out that the elections at this point in time constitutes a new "escape forward", stressing the need to allow time for building effective institutions and for political parties to develop; hence the issuance of the election law.

The former UN envoy to Libya stressed that the election results must be respected by all political parties to avoid resorting to violence.