On Wednesday, the Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, Ageela Saleh received the United Nations Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily at his office in Al-Qubba City.
During the meeting, Saleh and Bathily discussed the latest political developments in the country, and the 6+6 Joint Committee’s progress on election laws. The duo also agreed that “it is critical to complete this task as soon as possible, making sure laws are implementable.”
In addition, they stressed that “inclusive, transparent elections are the only viable solution to overcome the current crisis, and build a solid foundation for a prosperous future for all Libyans.”
On his part, Bathily urged Saleh to encourage the Committee to “keep their discussions exclusive to the Libyan people, and the two Chambers that authorised them, and make their announcement on Libyan soil as a sign of transparency and respect.”
He called on all political actors, military and security leaders, notables, societal representatives, institutions, and authorities to “come together in a spirit of compromise for the sake of establishing a clear and unified pathway towards lasting peace, stability, and prosperity.”
Last week, Saleh stressed the need to form a mini-cabinet with a 6 to 8-month-mandate to supervise elections impartially.
These remarks came during his meeting with a number of notables and tribal Sheikhs of the eastern, western, and southern regions of Libya. The attendees demanded an improvement in the political situation in the country. They also discussed the necessity of holding elections this year.
The speaker stressed that “national reconciliation is the most important pillar in restoring security and stability in Libya,” praising the “patriotic role being played by the Libyan tribes to achieve security and stability in the country,” according to a statement by the Parliament media office.
He also reviewed the Parliament’s plan to “achieve the will of the Libyan people to hold elections as soon as possible,” stressing his “complete rejection of foreign interference in the country’s affairs.”
On 15 May, Libya’s eastern-based Parliament voted to suspend its designated Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha. It appointed his Finance Minister, Osama Hamada to his role.
In February 2022, the Libyan Parliament elected the former Interior Minister to replace Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba. This was part of a United Nations-backed peace process to end more than a decade of violence in the North African country.
Dbaiba failed in his key task of organizing elections in December, at which point the Parliament ruled that his mandate had run out. The Tripoli-based Prime Minister refused to hand over power before elections, preparing a showdown with Bashagha.
Dbaiba has previously confirmed that he will “remain in office until all Libyan parties agree on electoral laws that are internationally welcomed, and start announcing specific dates for the elections.”
