Prime Minister-designate, Fathi Bashagha, welcomed on Saturday a joint statement by France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States, “especially the call for a unified Libyan government able to govern and deliver elections across the country,” according to the premier.
In the joint statement, the five western powers emphasized “the need for a unified Libyan government” but at the same time they “firmly reject actions that could lead to violence or to greater divisions in Libya, such as the creation of parallel institutions”.
Last February, Bashagha was selected by the House of Representatives with support from members of the High Council of State to lead the country as interim premier, replacing Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh whose government failed to organize elections in 2021.
Dbeibeh, who refused to relinquish power, remains recognized as the country’s legitimate leader by the international community while Bashagha’s government is seen as a parallel body.
However, Bashagha interpreted the western powers’ call for “a unified Libyan government” as a support for his own.
“As the leader of that government – elected and supported by the HoR and HSC – I look forward to working with these countries along with our Arab and African friends as I rebuild Libya and lead it into national elections as soon as possible,” Bashagha said via Twitter.
2/2 I look forward to working with these countries along with our Arab and African friends as I rebuild Libya and lead it into national elections as soon as possible.
— فتحي باشاغا Fathi Bashagha (@fathi_bashagha) June 24, 2022