For the second day in a row, popular celebrations continue in Martyrs Square in the Libyan capital (Tripoli), marking the 11th anniversary of the February 17, 2011 revolution that toppled the regime of the late Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, while Prime Minister of the National Unity Government Abdel Hamid al-Dabaiba announced a series of spending plans, in an effort to To bolster his position in the face of an attempt by the parliament based in eastern Libya to replace him.

This anniversary comes amid disagreements between the Libyan political institutions represented by the House of Representatives, the Supreme Council of the State and the National Unity Government over the road map that stipulates holding parliamentary and presidential elections within 24 months, as well as the House of Representatives nomination of former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha to head a new government.

The Prime Minister of the National Unity Government, Abdel Hamid Dabaiba, refuses to hand over power, calling for an end to the transitional phase and holding general elections next June.

On the other hand, Bashagha is holding consultations with the political blocs and is scheduled to present a new government formation next week, in a step that will determine whether the parliament's efforts to replace Dabaiba have succeeded or are doomed to failure.

Abdel Hamid Dabaiba clings to the head of the government and calls for holding general elections before handing over power (Getty Images)

Dabaiba's plans

Dabaiba, who swore not to hand over power until after elections, promised to provide aid to Libyans to buy land and homes, and said he would raise some state salaries and continue to support marriages.

In a speech during the revolution's anniversary celebrations, Dabaiba appealed to the House of Representatives, the Supreme Council of the State and the judicial authorities to listen to the voice of Libyans wishing to hold general parliamentary and presidential elections, and to end the transitional stages in Libya.

Dabaiba said the House of Representatives had expired eight years after its election, and pledged to present a road map in the coming days for holding general elections in June.

Despite Dabaiba’s announcement that the elections will take place next June, the Libyan institutions have not agreed on a date to hold them, and this threatens to be unable to organize them again on this date, especially since differences over the electoral law and the role of the judiciary in the elections have hampered the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections that were planned in December 24 last.

The Libyans hope that holding parliamentary and presidential elections will contribute to ending the armed conflict that has plagued their oil-rich country for years.