On Sunday, Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba asked his government ministers to continue their duties, and “not pay attention to the rumours being circulated on social media platforms and the media.”
He also called on them to avoid “reckless decisions”, reiterating that his government will only hand over power to a government-mandated by a new Parliament, elected by the Libyan people.
These remarks came during Dbaiba’s speech at the third ordinary meeting of the GNU cabinet in Tripoli.
According to his speech, the PM accused the Libyan Parliament of proposing a “parallel government,” unlawfully voting for it, and “trying to make it as a fait accompli, despite the disagreement of all parties.” He also stressed that the roadmap for his government, “still exists” and he enjoys full legitimacy.
Dbaiba reminded his ministers that the roadmap emanating from the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) in Geneva, and the Paris Conference was “approved by the international community and the UN Security Council.”
The Premier also accused the Parliament of, “deliberately obfuscating issues, in a desperate attempt to impose a new reality to keep them in office.”
He assured his cabinet that their positions are “safe,” noting his recent calls with both the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres and a number of foreign leaders.
Notably, On Saturday, the United Nations Secretary-General expressed his deep concern at the severe political polarisation in Libya, which carries significant risks for the country’s stability.
Guterres added that the current stalemate required urgent dialogue, to find a consensual way forward. As well as reiterating his full support for mediation efforts, as carried out by his Special Adviser on Libya (SASG), Stephanie Williams.
On Thursday, despite months of UN-led efforts aimed at re-unifying state institutions, Libya found itself once again with two Prime Minister’s. The Tripoli-based Dbaiba, and the former Interior Minister, Fathi Bashagha, who is backed by the Parliament in the east.