Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Cairo - Khalid Mahmoud

Bashagha Vows to Achieve Aspirations of Libyan People

Libyan prime minister-designate Fathi Bashagha (Reuters)

Prime minister-designate Fathi Bashagha renewed his pledge to hold elections and to achieve the aspirations of the Libyan people.

Bashagha discussed with France's Special Envoy to Libya, Paul Soler, the latest developments in Libya.

The French embassy announced that Soler agreed with Bashagha on the need to preserve the unity of Libya and hold simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections in all parts of the country.

They also stressed the importance of fully implementing the ceasefire agreement signed through the 5+5 Joint Military Committee.

Bashagha's media office said the PM-designate affirmed with Soler that the government's primary goal is to hold the elections, achieve the people's aspirations, and ensure the unity of Libya.

The US ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, said he admired the determination of the leaders of 19 Libyan political parties to help restore momentum towards elections.

Norland, and his British counterpart, Caroline Hurndall, met on Tuesday with the leaders of 19 Libyan political parties during consultations in Tunisia hosted by the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

"UK Ambassador Caroline Hurndall and I both witnessed their contagious enthusiasm. I admire their determination to help Libya restore momentum towards elections. The US stands with them in this effort,” said the US diplomat.

Meanwhile, 76 members of the House of Representatives rejected the formation of committees outside the framework of the 12th constitutional amendment.

They said any dialogue outside this framework is "unconstitutional," rejecting any new talks before the legitimate government assumes its duties within the capital and extends its influence over the entire country.

The lawmakers demanded that the UN mission commits to its role in supporting the political process and respecting any inter-Libyan agreement.

They affirmed the parliament's commitment to holding the elections without delay.

The parliament's spokesman, Abdullah Blehaq, said that the statement issued by 76 MPs agrees with the general direction of the House.

He said that all the expenses of the "unity" government, except the salaries, violated the law after forming the new Bashagha government.

Blehaq denied issuing any decision regarding forming a committee according to the proposal of Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Stephanie Williams.

Foreign Minister Najla al-Manqoush said that the UN mission is working hard to establish a constitutional basis for the elections to be held by the end of the year.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.