To gain a deeper understating of Libya's historic July 7, 2012, election, the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East held a panel discussion with Libya experts on July 11. Gregory Kehailia, IFES senior program manager, provided his perspective on the technical aspects of the poll.

During the first election taking place since Mu'amar Gaddafi took power in 1969, Libyans cast their ballots to elect 200 members of the Libyan General National Congress. Security concerns and the country's readiness to hold a poll were high. Election Day, however, was widely considered to be a success.

Kehailia spoke about the efforts deployed by the High National Electoral Commission (HNEC) of Libya to prepare for these elections, the assistance provided by the international community and IFES, and challenges and trends of the first partial results released by the HNEC.

He was joined on the panel by Fadel Lamen, president of the American Libyan Council, and Dr. Esam Omeish, director of the Libyan Emergency Taskforce.

The event was moderated by Dr. Karim Mezran, senior fellow at the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East.