Libya's prime minister-designate launches preparations to form government
On Sunday, Fathi Bashagha addressed the citizens in a speech in which he pledged to carry out a process of change of government as peacefully as possible. He also assures that it will be carried out through the appropriate institutional and legal mechanisms.
The Libyan Parliament recently entrusted him with the post of Prime Minister, until then held by Abdul Hamid Dbeibé. The head of government thanked the House of Representatives and the Supreme Council of State for their decision and said that it would help to unite all Libyans.
Holding elections on the scheduled dates is one of his main objectives. "My compatriots in the south, east and west, I have been entrusted with the formation of the next Libyan government, this trust is heavy and I will not be able to carry it out except with your support and assistance". To this end, he has already begun daily rounds of consultations with parliament, the Council of State and civil society institutions.
He is also meeting with military and security leaders to help create a new era free of uprisings and divisions. The views of intellectuals, academics and young people are a key element in the formation of the next executive.
In his speech, the prime minister drew on the memory of the difficult times of the past and the promise of a better future. "The years of scarcity are gone without return and the harbingers of good and peace have arrived [...], we will heal our wounds forever [...]. We will live in peace and walk towards a prosperous tomorrow".
Bashagha is also confident that the transfer of power will take place peacefully for the sake of democracy. He considers Dbeibé to be a civilised person who is against war. However, the former prime minister remains adamant that he will not relinquish power until elections are held.
For its part, the House of Representatives has voted to adopt a roadmap that calls for elections to be held within 14 months. This decision has not gone down well with Dbeibé, who has urged citizens to demonstrate to demand early elections.
Dbeibé's plan to remain in office is based on the possibility of organising a referendum in the coming months. His political project "Return of the Secretariat to the People" advocates that the legislative elections and the constitutional referendum can be held on the same date.
This initiative is the former leader's response to the political process led by the Parliament and the Council of State to change the Libyan government. Some experts argue that Dbeibé's idea is doomed to failure and expect him to show the world an unrealistic picture in which citizens are on his side.
Hours before Bashagha was elected, he met with several members of the Council of State and tried to convince them that they should oppose the appointment of the new prime minister. Khaled al-Mishri, head of the Council, recalled that the term of office of the National Unity Government should last until 24 December 2021 at the latest.
A part of Libya sees Dbeibé as a stone in the road that hinders the opportunity to put the differences between East and West behind him. The optimism surrounding his rise to power soon dissipated due to numerous attempts at confrontation with Khalifa Haftar, the former leader of the Libyan National Army. However, the prime minister was the favourite in the elections scheduled for 24 December, which did not take place.
Dbeibé was also expected to end the division between zones and establish real unity in North Africa. The fear now is that he may declare war on armed groups affiliated with Bashagha. This would mean the stoning of his role as a man of peace promoted in recent months.
Stephanie Williams, UN special adviser on Libya, has professed the need to hold fair elections as soon as possible and maintain stability throughout the country. Williams, via her Twitter account, said she had a meeting with the ousted Libyan prime minister to discuss the latest developments, especially the vote by the Libyan House of Representatives.