The Libyan Parliament’s Spokesperson, Abdullah Blaiheg, confirmed that there is a single point of contention with the High Council of State (HCS) in the constitutional draft represented in the conditions for candidacy for the presidential elections.
In press statements, Blaiheg added that “compliance with the HCS will result in a solution to holding a referendum on the constitution for one session, and allowing everyone to participate.”
He explained that the two councils hope to conclude the draft after amending it in the wake of Eid al-Adha. He pointed out that parliamentary elections are not the solution without the presidential one.
Blaiheg stated, “to end the political blockage, everyone should be allowed to participate and run for the presidential elections without excluding any party or setting conditions.” He pointed out that this vision is adopted by the House of Representatives (HoR).
The Parliament Spokesperson said that the Libyan citizen has the right to demonstrate peacefully and demand legitimate rights, considering that those who carry out acts of sabotage belong to a hidden agenda.
Last week, United Nations (UN) Political Affairs Chief, Rosemary DiCarlo, told the Security Council that leaders in Libya must resolve outstanding issues so that long-awaited presidential and parliamentary elections can finally be held.
“The UN’s priority in Libya remains to facilitate a return to the electoral process, based on a sound and consensual constitutional basis for elections. This is what the Libyan people have asked for,” she declared.
DiCarlo commended recent progress following a final round of UN-facilitated consultations on the constitutional basis for the vote, which has been delayed since December.
Notably, demonstrations were present in Libya last weekend protesting declining living standards, electricity cut-offs, and other bread and butter problems.
The protesters blame such deterioration on the ongoing tug-of-war between the main political players who continue to obstruct the general elections.
Negotiations between rival factions, in the East, and West, have been ongoing in both Cairo and Geneva, with no agreement in sight over a framework that would make it possible to hold free and fair elections.