Iran Press/ Africa: The country’s High National Electoral Commission (HNEC) said on Wednesday, December 22, that it was proposing the new date of 24 January after 'liaising' with Parliament.
A parliamentary committee had earlier said that it would be 'impossible' to hold elections on Friday.
The disputes over eligibility of candidates and growing security fears were among the reasons marring the run-up to the poll.
Libya has been in turmoil since long-serving ruler Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown and killed in 2011.
Libya and its complex political environment
The Western powers, which have backed Libya since 2011 undera global political commitment known as 'Responsibility to Protect' (R2P), do not have a single, unified position. Although these countries consider the Tripoli government legal, they do not take special measures to support it.
Countries like Turkey and Qatar support the Tripoli government because it is supported by the Muslim Brotherhood.
Countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE support the government in Tobruk in eastern Libya and General Khalifa Haftar, the Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), as they seek to establish a model for Libya's ruling as the one in Egypt under Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
The United Nations recognize the Tripoli government but call for interaction between the Tripoli government and the one based in Tobruk.
The UN and Western powers had hoped that the election would intensify efforts to achieve peace and democracy in Libya, a strategically important country, a major oil producer and a transit point for migrants to Europe.
The Electoral Commission had rejected the candidacy of Colonel Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, but his lawyer said a court had overturned its decision.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of Muammar Gaddafi, and Khalifa Haftar, the Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), are two prominent candidates in the Libyan Presidential Election.
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