Fears of Libya violence as UN races to manage election postponement

All sides acknowledge 24 December vote cannot go ahead but there has been no announcement, and political vacuum looms

The United Nations is scrambling to manage the postponement of Libya's presidential elections, which are due to take place on 24 December, as fears grow that a looming political vacuum will lead to renewed violence and economic chaos.

There has been no formal announcement on a postponement, but all sides acknowledge the vote cannot proceed, not least because a list of authorised candidates has yet to be published.