Libyan MP, Fatima Al-Suwaie confirmed that the Parliament’s decisions were clear regarding the formation of the new government. She added that such decisions were taken in a clear and public session for all Libyans, and characterized by transparency.
In a press statement, she said that incumbent PM, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba will “hand over power when the international community, and the European Union recognize Fathi Bashaga’s Government of National Stability.”
Al-Suwaie explained that the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) was not impartial in its position. This is especially given that “it witnessed the parliament session and there was a quorum, yet it adopted a non-neutral position.”
Last month, Member of Libya’s High Council of State (HCS), Abdel-Salam Al-Safrani stated that the initiative of the UN Envoy to Libya, Stephanie Williams, “has reached a dead end.”
Al-Safrani added that the only way out of the political impasse, is “through the 12th constitutional amendment, or approving the Libyan Parliaments initiative to form a new government and draft a constitution. This will then be to put it to a referendum, at a later date.”
“This is the best settlement that can be implemented, and lead us to elections,” Al-Safrani concluded.
On 10 February, the Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, Ageela Saleh announced the unanimous appointment of Fathi Bashagha as the new Prime Minister. But incumbent PM, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba warned that the appointment of a new interim government could lead to war and chaos in the country. He renewed his pledge to only hand power over to an elected government.
Libya has been mired in a political crisis since the fall of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011. Observers fear that Libya will return to having two opposing governments, threatening the nation’s vital oil sector.