The Court of Appeals in Tripoli rejected an appeal filed against Khalifa Haftar by the Zawiya Court of First Instance due to the latter’s lack of jurisdiction over the case, thus bringing the presidential candidate back to the elections race, according to multiple media reports.
Haftar was initially admitted to the race by the High National Election Commission (HNEC) among other candidates, but outside parties are allowed by law to contest the HNEC decision in court.
As stipulated by Libyan law, the only courts with jurisdiction to issue appeal ruling are the ones located in the specific cities where each nominee made candidacy registration. Having been filed for candidacy in Benghazi, only a court in the city can make a ruling on Haftar’s nomination.