Libyan Presidential Council Decrees: A Return Ticket to the Political Spotlight

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With a series of unexpected decrees, the Libyan Presidential Council has returned to the heart of the political scene, anticipating a forthcoming announcement from the United Nations.

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On Tuesday evening, the Presidential Council issued decrees that included suspending the Constitutional Court Law enacted by the House of Representatives, calling for a General Conference for Reconciliation, and establishing a new national commission.

This move came just days before the expected announcement by the UN mission regarding the outcomes of its advisory committee and its anticipated roadmap for resolving the Libyan crisis.

Observers see these decrees as reflecting an intensifying race for the legitimacy of political instruments, pitting a domestic actor trying to consolidate its presence in the political arena against a UN-led process backed internationally, which relies on elections as the key to restoring legitimacy through recognized institutions.

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From the Margins to Action

The three decrees issued by the Presidential Council signal a clear intent to move beyond a merely ceremonial role and position itself as a more influential force within the power structure, amid growing feelings of marginalization in arrangements made without its participation.

Analysts believe the Council aimed to send a clear message: it will no longer settle for being a bystander during a stage where the future is being shaped in its absence, nor will it accept international agreements that might exclude it from the upcoming political landscape.

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This step is viewed as an attempt to regain the initiative, particularly after the Council’s successful past interventions in pivotal issues, most notably in reshaping the leadership of the Central Bank.

In an exclusive statement, Libyan political analyst Ayoub Al-Oujli described the decrees as “a dual message—both internal and external—affirming that the Presidential Council remains a political actor that cannot be ignored.”

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An International Bet

Meanwhile, the United Nations Mission continues its intensive efforts to re-establish legitimacy through elections. The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Hanna Tetteh, is ramping up meetings with Libyan officials and international diplomats to secure support for a plan that includes municipal elections in major cities, as a prelude to a broader national settlement.

The mission is relying on its advisory committee to resolve obstacles related to electoral laws, while trying to maintain a delicate balance between rival parties vying for legitimacy.

Tetteh has emphasized that “restoring institutional legitimacy” is a top priority, underlining the importance of unified support from the UN Security Council.

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A Quiet Battle for the Center of Power

At its core, the situation reveals a quiet yet decisive struggle over who controls the center of decision-making in Libya. The Presidential Council fears being gradually sidelined, while the UN mission steers the transition process, backed by international cover that appears to serve regional and global balances more than pure Libyan will.

As the announcement of the UN committee’s results nears, the Presidential Council seems to be attempting to deliver a political surprise that disrupts the current trajectory, ensuring it is not bypassed in any future political settlement.

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