The government appointed by parliament and headed by Fathi Bashagha expressed its aspiration to cooperate with the new UN envoy, Abdoulaye Bathily, who officially assumed his duties in Libya on Friday.

The Bashagha government reiterated, in a statement released on Sunday, that “the Libyan government gains its legitimacy from the decision to grant it confidence from the Libyan parliament and the recommendation of High Council of State members,” noting “the concern for the safety of civilians and the preservation of the security and stability of the state,” and pointing out that it has not initiated any military actions or practiced any form of violence by excluding the political opposition.

The statement added that the Government of National Unity “has practiced, and is still practicing, all methods of political and military escalation, placing obstacles towards any peaceful political process, and aborting all attempts to hold elections, all in order for it to remain in power indefinitely.”

In a statement published by the UN mission, Bathily said he would communicate with all parties in various parts of Libya in his first statement issued upon his arrival to Tripoli.

"I arrived in Tripoli today to assume my functions as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). I will lead the United Nations’ good offices and mediation efforts to reach a sustainable and peaceful Libyan-led and Libyan-owned solution. I will also oversee the work of UNSMIL."

Bathily pledged to "first and foremost engage with all Libyan parties across the country, including civil society, women, and youth groups, to listen to their views on the political, security, and economic situations and hear their vision about the future of their country."

He added: "My priority is to identify a consensual pathway towards the holding of inclusive and credible national elections, which should be held as soon as possible on a solid constitutional framework. Restoring the electoral process will support fostering national unity and stability and renew the legitimacy of institutions in the country."

At the conclusion of the statement, Bathily stressed that "The United Nations remains committed to supporting Libya to hold inclusive presidential and parliamentary elections. The will of the millions of Libyan people who registered to vote should be respected."