Fathallah al-Siriri, a member of the 6+6 Joint Committee representing the High Council of State (HCS), emphasised that the lack of political consensus among Libyan factions and the prevailing mistrust needs to be addressed through “Libyan-Libyan” meetings.
In a press statement, he highlighted the presence of external obstacles hindering the Libyan parties’ consensus. These obstacles sometimes create contentious points among the parties and underscore the urgent need for forming a unified government in Libya.
Al-Siriri stated that stabilising the country and successfully conducting elections are impossible under the current situation of having two governments. He proposed that a unified government should be a streamlined one, focusing only on sovereign Ministries. The confidence should be given to the head of the government rather than the entire government, with its primary task being the supervision of elections. He emphasised that no progress could be made in the economic and investment sectors as long as two governments exist.
This statement sheds light on the complex political landscape in Libya, where the presence of two parallel governments has been a major impediment to peace and economic development. The call for a unified government underscores the urgent need for national reconciliation and a collaborative approach to address the country’s challenges.
Notably, Former United Nations (UN) Envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salameh, recently stated that elections in Libya are not a priority, as long as the state functions normally. In a press statement, Salameh expressed his concern that elections might lead to renewed divisions among Libyans, suggesting that they might not be necessary at this juncture.
Salameh also mentioned that, despite skirmishes between factions in Libya, Libyans have grown accustomed to such conflicts, and the ceasefire remains intact.
He highlighted the successful efforts of the UN entities in ensuring the regular flow of oil production in Libya. This achievement is significant given the country’s reliance on oil revenues for its economy.
Salameh further observed that Libya’s current situation is comparatively better than that of Egypt and Tunisia, and has improved since his tenure, during which the country navigated numerous crises.