Libya’s House of Representatives (HoR) and the High Council of State (HCS) have resumed efforts to form a new unified government, which would be based in the central city of Sirte, according to MP Abdel Moneim Al-Arfi.
In remarks to Erem News, Al-Arfi confirmed that discussions between the two chambers were reactivated following a recent meeting between HoR Speaker Aqeela Saleh and HCS Chairman Khaled Al-Mishri, with support from the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Sirte Proposed as Neutral Seat of Power
Al-Arfi stated that institutional unification is a prerequisite for holding credible national elections and ensuring all parties accept their outcomes. He stressed that the location of the future executive authority is unlikely to be Tripoli due to the presence of militias and criminal groups, suggesting that Sirte offers a more neutral and secure alternative.
“Before we speak of elections or their outcomes, we must first unify Libya’s institutions,” he said, emphasizing the importance of ground-level consensus to ensure any new government can operate effectively.
Political Settlement Needed Before Executive Relocation
The MP added that a comprehensive political settlement is needed before finalizing the seat of the new government. He noted that Sirte remains the most realistic option, given the current conditions in the capital and ongoing security concerns.
This renewed push for unity comes amid international calls for a political breakthrough in Libya, where rival governments and fragmented institutions have stalled the path to elections and post-conflict recovery.
