TRIPOLI, Dec 22 Reuters -- Libya's parliament said Friday's planned presidential election would not go ahead and did not name a new date, leaving the international peace process in chaos and the fate of the interim government in doubt.
It was the first official announcement of a delay, which had been widely expected due to ongoing disputes over the rules.
The collapse of the electoral process could cause a new round of violence and cause major mobilisations in Tripoli and other western areas to be triggered by major mobilisations by armed groups.
The Disputes over the path forward could also damage the wider U.N. backed peace process between Libya's main eastern and western camps that have maintained a ceasefire since last year.
Factions, candidates and foreign powers have been talking about whether the election can still take place with a short delay or a longer postponement is necessary to reach an agreement on the legal basis of the vote.
The status of the interim government that was set to be installed in March as part of the peace process is at risk, with the eastern-based parliament having withdrawn confidence from it in September.
The parliament's electoral committee stated on Wednesday that the government's mandate would expire on Friday.