Libyan leaders have come to a consensus on Sunday regarding the formation of a new unified government aimed at overseeing the conduct of much-delayed elections. The agreement involves Mohamed Menfi, president of the Presidential Council (PC); Mohamed Takala, head of the High State Council (HSC), both from Tripoli; and Aguila Saleh, speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR) from Benghazi. This development signifies a potential breakthrough in the political deadlock that has plagued Libya since a planned election in December 2021 was derailed due to disagreements over candidate eligibility.
International Support and Technical Committee Formation
During their meeting in Cairo, hosted by Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the leaders emphasized the necessity of international backing from the U.N. Mission in Libya and global partners to bring their plans to fruition. They have agreed to establish a technical committee dedicated to addressing contentious issues, signaling the initiation of concrete steps towards national reconciliation and political stabilization.
Optimism for Libya’s Electoral Future
Mohamed Menfi expressed optimism about the outcome of the discussions, highlighting their significance as a promising start towards meeting the Libyan populace’s aspirations for democratic elections. The push for a unified government arises amid ongoing legitimacy disputes surrounding the Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah since a U.N.-sanctioned process in 2021. Despite the parliament’s withdrawal of recognition, Dbeibah has firmly stated he will only relinquish power following a national electoral process.
Calls for Government and Budget Approval
The initiative to form a unified government also coincides with calls from the Central Bank’s governor, Sadiq Kabir, for parliamentary endorsement of a new government structure and a national budget to regulate the GNU’s expenditures. Amidst international diplomatic efforts aimed at instituting parliamentary and presidential elections to supplant the interim political entities, skepticism remains among Libyans regarding the genuine intentions of their political leaders to facilitate elections that could potentially oust them from power.
Libya’s Long Road to Peace
Libya’s quest for stability has been fraught since the 2011 uprising, leading to a division in 2014 between eastern and western factions, each with its own governing body.
