On Sunday, the Libyan Prime Minister-designate, Osama Hammad said that his government “will do its utmost to serve the Libyan people.” He announced that his government will “launch a comprehensive national dialogue soon, that guarantees rights and freedoms and relieves the suffering of the displaced at home, and abroad.”
In his first televised speech after being appointed by the Libyan Parliament, Hammad called on oversight bodies to “fight administrative and financial corruption, and achieve the highest rates of transparency to preserve public money in accordance with law, and within the framework of true accountability through independent judiciary.”
The Prime Minister pledged to “work within a clear plan in order to build the state.”
He also pledged that his government is “committed to all international covenants, agreements, and treaties, and will be keen to fulfil its regional and international obligations and adopt a policy of cooperation and mutual respect with all international bodies and institutions.”
In addition, Hammad called on all international and diplomatic missions, led by the UN Support Mission to Libya (UNSMIL) to “carry out its role through its mandated task to facilitate national reconciliation among all segments of the Libyan people.”
He also thanked his predecessor, Fathi Bashagha, stressing the non-exclusion and the right of the people to choose who represents them through free and fair elections.
On Saturday, the Libyan Parliament Speaker, Ageela Saleh, rejected the possibility of the Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba of overseeing the upcoming elections.
Saleh stated that the Parliament will work with the High Council of State (HCS) to “establish a small government to conduct the elections once the laws are passed.”
He expressed his hope that the 6+6 Joint Committee, which is currently discussing the election laws, will “finish its tasks by the end of the month.” He confirmed that “no candidate will be excluded, and the final decision will be made by voters.”
Saleh said he has not decided whether he will run for the upcoming Presidential elections. He wished to hold the elections before the end of the year. Saleh also stated that former Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha could “return to his duties if an investigation clears him of any wrongdoing.”
On 15 May, Libya’s eastern-based Parliament voted to suspend Bashagha. It appointed his Finance Minister, Osama Hammad 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 organising 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.”
