By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 7 February 2014:
The Libyan Grand Mufti, Sheikh Sadik Al-Ghariani, has said that all . . .[restrict]arguments about whether Congress’s term in office ends today have been resolved by its vote on the roadmap extending its existence until September 2015 at the very latest, and that the matter was closed. It was now forbidden to protest or take action against Congress, he ruled. “People are not permitted to go against the Congress and lead the country to chaos and conflicts,” he declared.
Speaking on Wataniya TV on Wednesday during the Islam and Life programme, he said that there had been confusion as to whether Congress should be dissolved. “Even legal experts in constitutional law are not in agreement on this issue”, he noted. However, the roadmap vote “by a overwhelming majority of 146 votes” had removed all confusion. It was a clear decision “which we must all adhere to”.
To remove Congress now would not resolve anything, he declared. On the contrary, it would push the country into deeper chaos and conflict. Libya would not be made safer. None of the groups involved in the various clashes around the country would suddenly stop fighting, he warned.
Given that situation, people had to rally round Congress and support it.
“Our duty now is show obedience to the legitimate head of the state, the ruler, who is currently represented by the GNC which was elected by the public”. That had to be done “despite its inefficiency and all the suffering we have seen from it” because it was the only option – “because this would prevent bloodshed and unite the country until we pass this difficult stage”.
“I am, therefore, saying that it is haram to go out against the Congress. He who does would be considered a transgressor,” the Grand Mufti ruled. Moreover, that it was permissible for action to be taken against such “transgressors”, he ruled but without stating was sort of action was possible. [/restrict]
