A new political rift emerged in Libya on Wednesday as the Presidential Council and the House of Representatives publicly disagreed over who has the constitutional authority to appoint a new prime minister.
The dispute comes as interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah seeks to solidify his support by rallying backing from local municipalities, while international stakeholders welcomed the latest proposals from the UN mission aimed at resolving the country’s stalled electoral process.
Mohamed al-Menfi, head of the Presidential Council, welcomed Egypt’s call for renewed dialogue among Libyan political institutions to pave the way for national elections. In a statement posted on X, al-Menfi insisted that, under the 2018 constitutional amendment endorsed by the UN and incorporated into Libya’s Political Agreement, the Presidential Council holds the authority to name the prime minister until a president is elected by popular vote.
In response, Speaker of Parliament Aguila Saleh called for a formal session to be held in Benghazi next Monday, where lawmakers will hear proposals from candidates vying for the premiership. According to parliament spokesman Abdullah Bliheg, the decision followed a session discussing the situation in Tripoli, demands from demonstrators, and the formation of a unified government.
The House also resolved to notify the United Nations mission and foreign diplomats of its decisions regarding the government formation. It reviewed reports from the public prosecutor concerning the eligibility of the prime ministerial candidates and called on the Government of Stability, led by Osama Hammad, to allocate emergency funds for municipalities affected by recent unrest in western Libya.
In addition, parliament requested an investigation into the storming of the intelligence agency’s headquarters in Tripoli, further highlighting instability in the capital.
Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador Aydar Aganin met with UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh to discuss recent developments, including the findings of the UN mission’s advisory committee.
The US Embassy in Libya welcomed the committee’s published recommendations, calling them a chance for Libyans to engage in meaningful dialogue and reignite momentum toward a unified, peaceful, and democratic future.
Similarly, the European Union and its member states praised the release of the committee’s executive summary and urged all parties to de-escalate, protect civilians, and participate in the UN-led process aimed at restoring political stability.
