A group of 12 Libyan lawmakers from the western region have called for the country's parliament to convene in the capital city of Tripoli. They demand that sessions be held in an open and transparent manner, allowing lawmakers to express themselves freely without fear of threats or outside influence. This move appears to be a significant development in the country's ongoing struggle for stability and effective governance.
The lawmakers also insist on the re-election of the parliament's leadership and council, free from external interference. They reject what they describe as the "imposition of reality" and emphasize that the role of military and security institutions should be limited to protecting the country and its institutions, rather than influencing political decisions or legislative actions.
Furthermore, the MPs urge the country to expedite the process of holding presidential and parliamentary elections, aiming to bring an end to the transitional phases. They stress the importance of preserving the independence of the judiciary and its institutions, while rejecting any measures that could deepen divisions within the judicial authority.
According to the lawmakers, their call to convene parliament in Tripoli is not intended to favor one city over another. Instead, they aim to liberate the legislative decision-making process from external pressures, enhance the role of civilian institutions, and ensure that lawmakers can perform their duties without outside interference.
The Libyan parliament was established in 2014, with the constitutional declaration stipulating that Benghazi would serve as its permanent location. However, due to the outbreak of armed clashes in Benghazi and Tripoli at the time, the parliament was forced to relocate to the eastern city of Tobruk, where it could safely convene within the "Dar al-Salam" hotel complex.
This relocation led to a severe political division, with lawmakers from the western region boycotting the Tobruk sessions and later convening parallel sessions in Tripoli. The situation has been fluid, with the parliament recently returning to its constitutional location in Benghazi following improved security conditions.
The latest move by the 12 lawmakers could potentially reignite tensions and divisions within the Libyan parliament. As the country continues to navigate its complex transition, the international community is closely watching developments, with many hoping for a peaceful and stable resolution to the ongoing challenges.
Key points
- Libyan lawmakers demand parliament relocation to Tripoli for transparent sessions
- MPs call for re-election of parliament leadership, free from external interference
- Lawmakers urge expedited elections to end transitional phases
