On Saturday, the Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR), Ageela Saleh, stressed the need to form a mini-Cabinet with a 6 to 8-month-mandate of supervising elections impartially and saving the Libyans’ money.
These remarks came during his meeting with a number of notables and tribal Sheikhs of the eastern western and eastern regions of Libya at al-Qubba city, where the attendees demanded an improvement in the political situation in the country. They also discussed the necessity of holding presidential and parliamentary elections during the current year.
On his part, Saleh 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.
The Speaker also reviewed the Parliament’s work plan in an effort to achieve the will of the Libyans to hold elections as soon as possible, stressing his complete rejection of foreign interference in the country’s affairs.
Last week, Libya’s eastern-based Parliament voted to suspend its designated Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha. The Parliament appointed his Finance Minister, Osama Hamada to his role.
In February 2022, the Libyan Parliament elected the former Interior Minister to replace Abdelhamid Dbaiba. This was part of a United Nations (UN)-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 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.”
Libyan political experts said at the time that Bashagha’s attempt was “badly planned and ended in a resounding political failure, inflicting a severe blow on him and his national and international allies.”
Dbaiba came to power following a landmark 2020 ceasefire that ended a year-long battle when the General Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar tried, unsuccessfully, to seize the capital.
The transitional government had a mandate to lead the country to elections, which never took place due to divisions over the rules and the presence of controversial candidates.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Moammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
