Libyan officials reach consensus on establishing a unified government

Three important Libyan leaders announced on Sunday that they had reached an agreement on the importance of establishing a new unified government to oversee elections that have been postponed for a long time.

The political efforts to end over ten years of turmoil in Libya have come to a standstill after a planned election in December 2021 fell through due to disagreements over the qualifications of the leading candidates.

The leaders in Libya include President Mohamed Menfi of the Presidential Council (PC), Head Mohamed Takala of the High State Council (HSC), and Speaker Aguila Saleh of the House of Representatives (HoR). They are located in Tripoli and Benghazi respectively.

These leaders have issued a joint statement, urging the UN Mission in Libya and the international community to back their proposals.

They said they had agreed to form a technical committee to “look into controversial points.”

They met in Cairo at the invitation of Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

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“The measures discussed and agreed upon today are seen as a crucial starting point. We are confident that these outcomes reflect the determination of the Libyan people to conduct fair elections,” Menfi expressed to the press following the gathering.

Menfi rose to power in 2021 when the Government of National Unity (GNU) led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah was established with the support of the United Nations. However, the parliament no longer acknowledges its legitimacy.

Dbeibah has made a commitment to not hand over power to a new government unless national elections are held.

The House of Representatives was elected in 2014. The High State Council was formed in 2015 from a parliament elected in 2012 as part of a political agreement.

Last week, Central Bank governor Sadiq Kabir requested parliament's approval for a new unified government and national budget to manage spending under the GNU.

International efforts to address the conflict in Libya have centered on promoting parliamentary and presidential elections as a means to transition from the interim political bodies like the HoR, HSC, and GNU.

Despite widespread support for elections from key political figures in Libya, there is skepticism among many Libyan citizens about their true intentions, as a successful vote could potentially lead to the removal of those currently in power.

Libya has had little peace since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising, and it split in 2014 between eastern and western factions, with rival administrations governing in each area.

Editor's P/S:

The announcement of an agreement among Libyan leaders to establish a unified government and oversee long-awaited elections brings a glimmer of hope to the war-torn nation. After years of political turmoil, the move signals a potential breakthrough in ending the country's protracted crisis. The leaders' commitment to forming a technical committee to address contentious issues demonstrates their willingness to compromise and move forward.

However, skepticism remains among Libyan citizens who have witnessed previous failed attempts at unity. The lack of consensus on election regulations and the reluctance of certain factions to relinquish power cast doubt on the feasibility of the proposed timeline. Nevertheless, the international community's support for the leaders' initiative could provide the necessary impetus to overcome these obstacles and pave the way for a more stable and democratic Libya. moving towards a resolution that meets the aspirations of the Libyan people.