The co-chairs of the International Follow-up Committee on Libya have urged the interim Presidency Council to involve women in the country's transition period.

The committee also urged other authorities and institutions in the country to create conditions for meaningful participation of women in the democratic transition and elections, in national reconciliation, in the economic and social life in the country.

The interim Presidency Council took office in March this year, officially beginning a process designed to end 10 years of chaos in the North African country and lead it to elections in December.

Ahead of the December 24 vote, the international community is keen to ensure a smooth process that will elect a unified government to return lasting stability.

The International Follow-up Committee urged all domestic parties to refrain from any actions that may impede the interim government to function throughout the country and disrupt the political process.

It also called upon Libyan authorities to fully implement principles of human rights and international humanitarian law, including when dealing with IDPs, migrants, and refugees, when addressing arbitrary arrests and detention, when moving towards full accountability for crimes.

Libya has been a major transit route for immigrants seeking to reach Europe illegally.

The country descended into chaos following the 2011 ouster and killing of former long-serving leader Muammar Gaddafi.

For years, the country was split and controlled by rival administrations – the Tripoli-based GNA, and a parallel cabinet with its headquarters in the east, under the de facto control of forces loyal to renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar.

In efforts to ensure the peace process proceeds smoothly, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) last month urged foreign fighters to down their weapons and leave the country.

The United Nations estimated there were 20,000 foreign fighters in Libya, including Syrians, Turkish, Sudanese and Russians brought to the country by the rival sides.