The diplomatic movement continues to resolve the Libyan crisis, as the Chargé d'Affairs of the US Embassy, ​​Leslie Ordman, discussed the prospects for a solution with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aqila Saleh, in Benghazi. Saleh also gave the Supreme Council of State two weeks to respond to Parliament regarding the file of the constitutional basis for the elections.

The Chargé d'Affairs of the US Embassy to Libya said that he met Aguila Saleh in Benghazi, where they discussed ways to build unity in Libya for the interests of the people.

Ordman explained that the discussion touched on bridging the differences, and achieving the Libyan people's demand to choose their leaders.

In turn, Saleh stressed the legitimacy of the House of Representatives as the sole legislative authority in the country to issue laws and legislation, and stressed the need to establish a fair distribution mechanism for the wealth of Libyans among all Libyan regions.

Chargé d'Affaires Ordman in #Benghazi: "I met with Speaker of Parliament Saleh in Benghazi today to discuss the importance of building unity and bridging differences to serve the interests of the Libyan people, including fulfilling their long-awaited demand to choose their own leaders."

#Libya pic.twitter.com/rNC9Qg1X4j

- US Embassy - Libya (@USEmbassyLibya) January 17, 2023

Saleh and Al-Mishri

In a related context, Saleh said that the agreement with the State Council is only a verbal rapprochement and there are no real actions on the ground, and he demanded that it respect the decisions of the House of Representatives as the "sole legislative body", in a speech he had during the opening of a session of the Council in the city of Benghazi today, Tuesday, to discuss the consensus that It took place between him and the head of the Supreme Council of State, Khaled Al-Mashri, a few days ago.

He added, "The Supreme Council of State has 15 days to respond to parliament regarding the file of the constitutional basis for elections."

Saleh stressed that the elections "will take place before next November, after the agreement of Parliament and the Supreme Council of State."

Saleh explained that the dispute with the Supreme Council of the State is centered on the point related to the candidacy of dual nationals for the post of President of the State, and called for making room for candidacy for dual nationals.

Saleh and Al-Mashri had announced, after their meeting in Cairo on January 5, their agreement to "refer the completed constitutional document from the Constitutional Track Committee (joint between the two houses) for approval in accordance with the system of each house."

The High Council of State said in a statement after its session yesterday that its members are conducting consultations regarding the provisions of the constitutional rule that were agreed upon with the House of Representatives.

Since March 2022, two governments have been fighting for power, one headed by Fathi Bashagha and assigned by the House of Representatives in Tobruk (east), and the other recognized by the United Nations, which is the unity government headed by Abdul Hamid al-Dabaiba, who refuses to hand over power except to a government assigned to it by a new elected parliament.

international movement

International movement has been increasing recently to resolve the crisis, as CIA Director William Burns visited Libya last week, which was followed by another visit 5 days later by Turkish Intelligence Director Hakan Fidan, who also met with the head of the Unity Government, Al-Dabiba.

Yesterday, the United Nations envoy for support in Libya, Abdullah Batili, called for supporting the work of the "5 + 5" military committee aimed at resolving controversial files, including the way to unify the armed forces under the umbrella of the legitimate institutions of the state.

Batelli also discussed with the French Ambassador to Libya, Mustafa Maharaj, the need for the international community to adopt unified action to support a sustainable path to peace and stability in the country.

Batelli said that he discussed in Tripoli with the French ambassador to Libya the latest political developments of the crisis in the country.