TRIPOLI, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) welcomed the municipal elections in the western city of Zawiya Friday, the first ones in the country this year.

"UNSMIL congratulates the Municipal Council Central Election Committee on successfully concluding 2018's first elections in Libya with the swearing-in of the Zawiya Municipal Council and the election of the town's new mayor," the Mission said in a statement earlier on Friday.

Zawiya is located some 40 km west of the capital Tripoli. It is Libya's fourth largest city.

UNSMIL also calls for the support of this democratically-legitimized institution so that it can fulfill its roles and responsibilities to best serve the residents of Zawiya.

The mandate has ended for the 2014-elected municipal councils in Libya. The municipal council election law requires a four-year non-renewable term.

Libya has more than 100 municipalities representing different cities and regions of the country.?