Libya’s designated Prime Minister, Osama Hammad, warned on Friday that the option of pursuing regional self-governance could be placed on the table if what he described as “political tampering” continues in Tripoli. His remarks came in response to the announcement by the Presidential Council, the outgoing Government of National Unity, and the High Council of State of a new body called the “High Authority of Presidencies.”
In a detailed statement, Hammad said the move is “constitutionally and legally void,” stressing that none of the three entities hold the authority to establish such a body or agree on its formation. He noted that the constitutional declaration and its amendments reserve the power to create sovereign institutions—and to modify the state’s leadership structure—exclusively for the elected legislative authority, the House of Representatives.
Hammad reiterated his government’s “absolute rejection” of the new entity, describing it as nonexistent in law, lacking constitutional backing, and producing no legitimate effects. He added that any decisions, meetings, or titles issued under this body “carry no legal weight and do not create any legal status.”
The designated Prime Minister called on the international community not to recognise any outcomes, representatives, or descriptions stemming from the newly created body. He urged foreign partners to respect Libya’s constitutional framework and support legitimacy-based solutions, while also reviewing the conduct of the UN Support Mission in Libya, which he accused of turning to “funding options outside internationally recognised institutions.”
Hammad also criticised the High Council of State, reaffirming that it is “an advisory body, not a legislative authority,” and said that involving the judiciary in the announcement represents “an infringement on the independence of the courts.”
He warned that the step threatens Libya’s institutional stability, undermines state unity, and disrupts the electoral path. Hammad added that the continued “political misconduct” in Tripoli may force eastern authorities and local constituencies to openly and urgently push for an autonomy model if presidential elections are not held soon.
The announcement of the “High Authority of Presidencies” was made in Tripoli on Thursday by Presidential Council President Mohamed Al-Mnifi, outgoing Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, and High Council of State head Mohamed Takala, who said the new framework would serve as a joint sovereign leadership structure.
