Skip to main content

Libyan delegates to vote for interim prime minister

Seventy-five representatives of different regions in Libya will cast their votes this week for an interim prime minister and a three-member presidential council.
Libyans cast their ballots during the second round of municipal elections, at a voting center in the Andalus neighbourhood of the capital Tripoli, on January 7, 2021. - Libya on January 7 held municipal elections, four years late and under heavy security measures, in several western regions including the capital Tripoli, launching a year which will mark national elections that stoke hopes of pulling this country out of chaos. (Photo by Mahmud TURKIA / AFP) (Photo by MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP via Getty Images)

Dozens of representatives from Libya’s rival parties will cast their votes this week for a temporary executive government to prepare the war-torn country for general elections later this year. 

The voting comes as part of a renewed push to reach a political solution after six years of civil war. The country’s warring sides — the Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Libyan National Army (LNA) — signed a cease-fire agreement in October last year and agreed to hold nationwide elections. 

Seventy-five Libyan delegates are gathering Feb. 1-5 in the Swiss city of Geneva to choose from a list of names approved by the UN Mission in Libya. Twenty-four candidates are vying for seats on the three-member presidential council and 21 candidates are running for interim prime minister. The newly elected Libyan leaders will stay on until general elections are held on Dec. 24. 

Libya’s Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga is the frontrunner for prime minister and candidates for the presidential council include Aguila Saleh, the speaker of the eastern-based parliament, and Khaled al-Meshri, who heads the Tripoli-based legislative assembly.

“This project is not about power-sharing or dividing the cake, said Stephanie Williams, the outgoing acting UN special envoy for Libya. “Rather, it is to form a temporary government composed of patriots who agree to shoulder and share the responsibility to put Libyan sovereignty and the security, prosperity and welfare of the Libyan people above narrow interests and far from the specter of foreign interference,” she said. 

Libya’s years-long conflict has become a proxy war, with renegade commander Khalifa Hifter’s LNA running much of the eastern part of the country with support from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia. The Tripoli-based and UN-recognized GNA enjoys the backing of Turkey and Qatar.

The GNA and LNA agreed to a permanent cease-fire during UN-mediated talks in October, giving the rival factions until late last month to expel their foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libyan territory. The deadline passed without any troop withdrawals. 

During a UN Security Council briefing on Libya last week, acting head of the US mission to the UN Richard Mills accused outside powers of undermining the fragile truce. 

"The external actors who have militarily intervened in this conflict have wholly, completely ignored Libyan demands,” said Mills.  

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in