The Libyan Parliament and its rival chamber, the High Council of State (HCS) will begin a third round of talks in Cairo on 12 June.
A member of the HCS, Abdel-Qader Hawaili noted that “there is great rapprochement between the two chambers.” He added that “contacts and consultations between members of the western and eastern regions are continuing, in order to overcome obstacles regarding a consensus between the two chambers.”
At the conclusion of the second round of consultations last month, UN advisor Stephanie Williams said the two chambers agreed in principle on 137 articles. “I am particularly pleased that you were able to agree on Chapter 2 on the rights and freedoms. As well as on the Chapters on legislative and judicial authority.”
She noted that it “is important to keep in mind that the Libyan people are looking to this Committee with high hopes and expectations that your work will conclude, and lead to a full agreement On holding of national, comprehensive, and inclusive elections as soon as possible.”
Williams stressed that “these elections will fulfil the aspirations of over 7 million Libyans, who have the internationally recognized fundamental right to go to the ballot box, and to elect those who represent them in Presidential and legislative elections.”
These developments were welcomed by the Prime Minister-designate, Fathi Bashagha, who said that the “rapprochement between the Libyan Parliament and the High Council of State … will allow for a transition of power via elections that reflect the will of the Libyan people”.
In March, Williams invited the two bodies to each nominate six members for a joint committee on Libya’s constitutional arrangements.
Libya’s political process fell apart in December with the collapse of the scheduled elections. Major factions and political bodies opposed plans for the path ahead, and backed rival governments.
Notably, Libya is currently facing a political crisis after the Libyan Parliament swore in Bashagha, to lead a new interim government in February. MP’s argued that incumbent Prime Minister, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba’s mandate expired when elections failed to take place in December.
Dbaiba has since refused to cede power, and warned that the appointment of a new government could lead to war and chaos in the country. He renewed his pledge to only hand power over to an elected government.