The President of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed al-Menfi, said that the Council seeks to resolve the differences between the Libyan House of Representatives and the State Council.

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During a meeting in Cairo with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and the permanent representatives of Arab states, al-Menfi said the Presidential Council’s approach to resolving differences stems from a meeting he held with the House of Representatives and the State Council, with support from the UN mission.

The meeting, he said, seeks to resolve outstanding differences between the two sides to reach a consensus on a constitutional foundation to be used in the elections.

Origin of the crisis

Disagreements between the House of Representatives and the Supreme Council of State in consultative status over the election law, and the terms of the candidates, led to the failure to formulate the constitutional rule, halting the run-up to the elections that were due to finish in December 2021.

The unity government led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh has insisted on continuing to govern until new elections are held, despite the expiration of its mandate after a government led by Fathi Bashagha was appointed by the parliament.

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Armed groups loyal to the Dbeibeh government prevented designated government officials from entering Tripoli to carry out their duties, forcing Bashagha to lead the government from Sirte.

This has led to a “two-government crisis,” which has caused disagreements over the terms of the elections to spread.

Armed clashes between pro-government factions left dozens dead, amid fears that the 2020 ceasefire could collapse.