Fathi Bashagha, the prime minister-elect of the Libyan House of Representatives, has expressed his reluctance to meet with the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh, until Dbeibeh hands over power.
Speaking at a press conference in Sirte on Tuesday, Bashagha welcomed the formation of the Joint Committee to prepare the election laws “6+6” between the House of Representatives and the High State Council and praised the role of the “5+5” military committee and their recent mutual visits. Bashagha also announced a new project called “Homeland Development” with a total budget of 1.5 billion Libyan dinars ($300 million).
The House of Representatives and the High State Council have elected their representatives in the Joint Committee, which was formed to prepare referendum and election laws in partnership between them. The committee is composed of Nour Al-Din Khaled, Jalal Al-Shuwehdi, Saleh Qalma, Abu Salah Shalabi, Miloud Al-Aswad, and Azaddin Qweirb from the House of Representatives, and Ahmed Juma Al-Ojali, Hamad Mohammed Briekaw, Omar Mohammed Abulifa, Fatah Allah Mohammed Hussein, Fawzi Rajab Al-Aqab, and Mama Sulaiman Bilal from the High State Council.
During the press conference, Bashagha revealed that only 1.5 billion dinars ($300 million) had been disbursed to his government during 2022, “which had caused significant difficulties.” He added that he supported the UN mission’s plan to hold elections before the end of the year and was ready to provide financial support towards this effort.
When asked about his recent visit to the city of Misrata and whether he had met with Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh, Bashagha stated that they had not met and that he would not agree to meet with him until Dbeibeh handed over power to him.
Bashagha’s comments on the formation of the Joint Committee and his reluctance to meet with Dbeibeh highlight the ongoing political tensions in Libya. It remains to be seen how these developments will affect the country’s efforts to prepare for free and fair elections.