The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has announced that an election date might be selected for the North African country soon, following recent political talks aimed at dousing the tension between its two warring sides.

Stephanie Williams, UNSMIL acting head who spoke on behalf of the envoy to Libya, noted that the team was hopeful after a preparatory virtual meeting of a 75-strong delegation who will attempt to chart the road towards sustainable peace in the country.

“What resonates is a clear and direct desire for there to be elections in as rapid a timeframe as possible,” Williams said.

Libya has been split since 2014 between factions based in the capital Tripoli, in the west, and in the city of Benghazi, in the east. However, last week a truce was agreed in Geneva by the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), which is recognized by the United Nations, and Khalifa Haftar’s eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA).

Representatives of the two competing administrations in Libya also agreed on common criteria to select heads of sovereign positions in future Libya. Sovereign positions include the governor of Libya’s Central Bank and the head of the Supreme Court, among others.

The political talks which started online will move to Tunis on November 9. The United Nations has also said it is imperative to agree on arrangements to hold elections as soon as possible, including by forming a new unified leadership to oversee them.

“Whatever executive authority they agree on really needs to have a clear focus – preparing for the elections,” Williams said. “I do fully expect there to be a date designated for elections,” Williams added.

Some Libyans have been critical of the list of 75 delegates invited to the political talks, arguing they are not representative of the country as a whole.