The British Ambassador to Libya, Caroline Hurndall, stressed "the need to preserve and expand the democratic space in Libya," and in the same context condemned the attempt to prevent the High Council of State from holding its sessions.

The British ambassador's comment came during her meeting on Sunday with High Council of State leader Khaled Al-Mishri, at his residence in Tripoli.

The council's media office stated that Al-Mishri and the British ambassador also discussed local and international efforts to resolve the political crisis in the country, and the importance of consensus between the House of Representatives and the High Council of State on a constitutional basis and one executive authority.

Hurndall also expressed her country's refusal for the use force in political disputes.

Last week, armed groups prevented the High Council of State from holding a meeting in Tripoli.

Al-Mishri accused Government of National Unity Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba of being behind their actions in order to "delay elections".