Libya MPs push reform roadmap amid deepening political divide

Libya’s political divisions appear to be deepening as tensions grow within the country’s eastern-based parliament, as reported by the Libya Herald on March 11th.

On March 10th, around 40 members of the House of Representatives (HoR) held an unofficial meeting at the parliament’s headquarters in Benghazi.

Following the meeting, the lawmakers released a video statement on social media announcing a new roadmap to reform the HoR’s operations.

The proposed roadmap includes several measures, such as amending the parliament’s internal regulations to allow the election of the HoR presidency according to a defined parliamentary cycle, re-electing the chamber’s standing committees, and calling for an official parliamentary session with a quorum on March 30th to begin implementing the reforms.

At first glance, these measures appear largely procedural and unrelated to Libya’s broader political reunification. However, supporters of the initiative say the session could mark the beginning of a new phase in the HoR’s political direction and decision-making.

A key element of the situation is that this meeting represents the second “consultative session” held by HoR members without the participation of the parliament’s speaker, Ageela Saleh.

Several lawmakers have expressed frustration over Saleh’s ability to unilaterally determine the dates of parliamentary sessions and set their agendas.

This frustration recently intensified following controversy surrounding a new import tax decision that critics say was introduced illegally. According to several MPs, the tax law was never formally debated or voted on during an official HoR session.

A possible split within the HoR could potentially open the door to renewed political dialogue between Libya’s rival power centres.

The country remains divided between two competing administrations, one based in western Libya and the other in the east.

The Government of National Unity in Tripoli is recognised by the UN and most European governments. It was established in 2021 to guide the country toward national elections, which have yet to take place.

In response, the HoR, Libya’s parliament elected in 2014, appointed a rival government in Benghazi in 2022. However, that administration has not received formal international recognition.

The UN Security Council has repeatedly called on all Libyan parties to engage seriously and without delay in the political process, stressing the importance of demonstrating genuine political will and a readiness to compromise to end the country’s prolonged transitional period.

However, any potential political breakthrough will likely depend on Khalifa Haftar’s position, the powerful commander of the Libyan National Army, a coalition of militias formed in 2014.

Haftar’s forces control major oilfields and export terminals across central Libya, maintain strong influence along the eastern coastline, and have expanded their presence in southern Libya.

The reform initiative in the HoR comes amid growing public frustration in Libya; many citizens, exhausted by years of political deadlock and worsening economic conditions, have taken to the streets demanding political change and long-delayed elections.

Libya Herald and agencies, Maghrebi.org