Libyan Parliament to Meet Next Week to Address Fallout of Elections Delay

A security officer stands in front of the High National Election Commission building in Benghazi, Libya December 16, 2021. (Reuters)
A security officer stands in front of the High National Election Commission building in Benghazi, Libya December 16, 2021. (Reuters)
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Libyan Parliament to Meet Next Week to Address Fallout of Elections Delay

A security officer stands in front of the High National Election Commission building in Benghazi, Libya December 16, 2021. (Reuters)
A security officer stands in front of the High National Election Commission building in Benghazi, Libya December 16, 2021. (Reuters)

The Libyan parliament is scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the fallout from the postponement of the presidential elections that were set for December 24.

A parliamentary source said the parliament will convene in the eastern city of Tobruk to address the parliamentary committee's report on the legal problems that impeded the elections.

The committee has been tasked with communicating with the High National Election Commission and the Supreme Judicial Court of Libya over the elections delay.

The parliament will address the commission's request to hold the elections on January 24, the source added.

The parliament may also tackle the fate of the interim Government of National Unity (GNU) that was formed to ensure that the elections are held.

One probable scenario could see the formation of a new government, introducing a cabinet reshuffle or allow the GNU to operate in a caretaker capacity, said the source.

The commission had requested that the elections be delayed by a month.

The parliament had issued a decision to form a committee of ten MPs to prepare a roadmap for the post-December 24 phase.



China's Xi Visits Morocco, Meets with Crown Prince

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
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China's Xi Visits Morocco, Meets with Crown Prince

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping made a short visit to Morocco on Thursday, according to state media from both countries.
Xi was welcomed in Casablanca by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and the visit reflected the strong bonds of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, Morocco's MAP said.
The Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch met Xi at the airport, where Xi and Hassan had a "cordial conversation", China's state broadcaster CCTV said.
Xi made the visit after being in Brazil for the G20 Summit.
China has stepped up investments in Morocco's infrastructure and rail sector in recent years.
Morocco's geographic location close to Europe, its free trade agreements with key EU and US markets and its existing automotive industry, make it attractive to Chinese electric vehicle battery makers.
In June, Chinese EV battery manufacturer Gotion High Tech picked Morocco to set up Africa's first gigafactory for a total cost of $1.3 billion.