The Quartet on Libya expressed on Monday its support for holding presidential and parliamentary elections this year. Meeting in Cairo, the European Union, the African Union, the Arab League and the United Nations said they will provide observers and electoral assistance to ensure the voting is free and fair. Libyans must commit in advance to respect and abide by the results and avoid violence or intimidation, they stressed in a joint statement. The group also emphasized the need for Libya to have a unified army under civilian command, a goal that has proved elusive under the current proliferation of militias. On Sunday, Egypt and France voiced their support for holding elections in Libya. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian met Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo to discuss regional issues, including developments in Libya. "The two sides agreed that relative progress has been made in Libya, which requires elections be held before the end of the year," Egyptian presidency spokesman Bassam Radi said in a statement following their talks. In a joint news conference held with his counterpart Sameh Shoukry, Le Drian said "the electoral process, which is indispensable, must be completed by the end of the year."