Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar held talks on Thursday with new head of the Presidential Council Mohammad al-Menfi, who was making his first visit to Benghazi since his appointment last week.
A statement from Haftar’s press office said they “exchanged views” on various pending issues.
The LNA commander stressed that the armed forces support the peace process and are keen on preserving democracy, ensuring the peaceful transition of power and backing the new Presidential Council and interim government so that they can hold long-awaited elections in December.
Menfi arrived from Athens, where he had been living for the past three years, and immediately met with dozens of tribal elders, academics and activists inside the VIP lounge at Benina airport, which serves Benghazi.
His visit follows a UN-sponsored conference last week in which delegates from Libya's warring sides picked four leaders to guide the nation ahead of the December elections. The election of the Presidential Council was a major — if uncertain — step toward unifying the North African country.
The forum also chose Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibeh as interim prime minister.
In a tweet, Menfi said: “Our objective is to achieve unity and true reconciliation and to collaborate with all in order to end the suffering.”
He urged “everyone to assume their responsibilities and rise up to the challenges.”
Meanwhile, the first and second deputies of the east-based parliament speaker urged the need to hold a confidence vote over the new government, which Dbeibeh is tasked with forming.
They suggested that the parliament meet with full quorum in a city chosen by the 5+5 joint military committee in order to ensure the safety of all lawmakers.
In a reference to a demand by some MPs for the ouster of Speaker Aguila Saleh, the two deputies also proposed that the next parliament session review amendments proposed by MPs.
The social council of Sirte tribes, meanwhile, urged the parliament to hold its vote of confidence in the city, which they added could serve as the headquarters of the new executive authority.
