No Result
View All Result
Monday, July 14, 2025
23 °c
Tripoli
24 ° Sat
24 ° Sun
  • Advertising
  • Contact
LibyaHerald
  • Home
  • Libya
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Magazine
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Register
SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • Libya
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Magazine
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result
LibyaHerald
No Result
View All Result
Home Libya

PC divisions further exposed

bySami Zaptia
January 11, 2019
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
PC divisions further exposed

Divisions within the PC were exposed when Deputy head of the PC Ahmed Maetig felt he had to appeal to HoR members for the imposition of consensus in decision-making (Photo: PC).

By Sami Zaptia.

Divisions within the PC were exposed when Deputy head of the PC Ahmed Maetig felt he had to appeal to HoR members for the imposition of consensus in decision-making (Photo: PC).
Divisions within the PC were further exposed when Deputy head of the PC Ahmed Maetig felt he had to appeal to HoR members for the imposition of consensus in decision-making within the PC (Photo: PC).

London, 11 January 2019:

Divisions within Libya’s Presidency Council (PC) were further exposed by the Deputy head of the PC Ahmed Maetig on Wednesday.

During a meeting in Tripoli with the Masar (Pathway) bloc of House of Representatives (HoR) members, Maetig appealed to them to pressure the head of the PC and Government of National Accord (GNA), Faiez Serraj, to respect the terms of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA).

The terms of the LPA, signed in the Moroccan city of Skhirat in December 2015 and which gave birth to the PC/GNA, stipulate that PC decisions are to be taken by consensus.

RELATED POSTS

High Court rejects Mishri’s appeal against Takala’s victory as HSC head – both still claim leadership of the body

Op-Ed: International community complicit with Libya’s corrupt political and military elite in delaying democratic elections

Indeed, article 1:3 of the LPA states that:

“Any decision taken by the Presidency Council of the Council of Ministers, in accordance with its competencies listed in Article 8.2 of the Agreement, shall require unanimity of the President of the Presidency Council of the Council of Ministers and his deputies.” 

There is no doubt that the PC has not been operating by consensus for years. As early as the first year of its creation than the split between Tripoli, Zintan and eastern Libya was exposed through a series of boycotts.

It is ironic that Maetig was appealing to the HoR for support when the relationship between the two bodies has been conflictual. It is true that the Masar HoR bloc is more aligned with the PC, but Maetig will need the support of the majority of the HoR to be able to bring pressure to bear on Serraj.

The conflict brings a new dynamic to Libya’s political equation beyond the traditional Tripoli versus the HoR.

Maetig is hoping to forge an alliance against Serraj by offering the HoR more influence in Tripoli, and more money and projects in the east.

In return he hopes the HoR will fully recognize the GNA. The HoR recognizes the PC but has refused to endorse the GNA, and hence the GNA prime minister and his ministers are officially refered to as Prime Minister or Minister-designate.

Maetig hopes to counter Serraj’s increasingly unilateral decision-making and influence and his new ally Khaled Mishri, head of the High State Council (HSC).

Serraj and Mishri were politically pushed into each other’s arms when like-minded members of the HoR and HSC agreed -well within the rules of the LPA – to reform the PC. In response, Serraj reshuffled his government to counter their move.

Ironically, the appointment by Serraj of Fathi Bashagha from Misrata as Interior Minister was thought to strengthen Maetig, another Misratan. It was presumed that Maetig had an input in the decision.

The new open split within the PC cannot be viewed positively by UNSMIL and the international community at large with a referendum and elections planned.

Last month, Maetig went on record opposing Sarraj’s appointment of Ehmaid Ben Omar as new health minister, replacing Omar Bashir Al-Taher.

He said it had not been presented to other PC members for approval and therefore violated the LPA. He said that the appointment was therefore invalid.

The nine-member PC is already effectively down to five members. Ali Gatrani and Omar Aswad stopped participating almost from the start, Musa Koni resigned in January 2017 and Fathi Majbri has stopped attending although he remains a member.

The split within the PC has strengthened the calls for its restructuring by Abdulsalam Nassiya, the chairman of the HoR’s dialogue committee. He has seized on the PC divisions, saying that they strengthen the need to restructure the PC.

He has taken the lead in negotiating with the HSC an amendment to the LPA which would see the nine-member PC reduced to a three-member presidency with a separate prime minister heading the government.

The HoR and the HSC have approved the change, but it is extremely unlikely to happen. It is thought that Ghassan Salamé is opposed to a change, as is Haftar and, of course, Sarraj.

Ultimately, the spat, could undermine Sarraj’s credibility in international eyes if officials start refusing to implement his orders.  His credibility in Libyan eyes is already seriously damaged. Even so, UNSMIL will continue to work with him, as it has no one else to work with.

This leaves the ball firmly in the hands of the bloc of HoR and HSC members who want to restructure the PC. If they can command a majority within their respective chambers, the LPA gives full and clear power to do so.

If they can unite, UNSMIL and the international community would find it difficult to oppose them – at least openly.

But things are never that simple in Libyan politics with a multiplicity of dynamics at play.

It must be recalled that the political dynamics of the referendum on the permanent constitution, the national conference (Multaqa) and general elections are all at play.

 

Tags: Ahmed MaetigfeaturedKhaled Mishri head of HSCLPA Libyan Political Agreement Skhirat December 2015PC /GNA Presidency Council / Government of National Accord

Related Posts

Attorney General orders arrests at Jumhouria bank branch for embezzlement
Libya

Attorney General provides update on investigation of incidents resulting from Tripoli 2025 armed clashes and demonstrations

July 11, 2025
GNU to take oath at Benghazi HoR session and budget to be approved at Tripoli session: GNU
Libya

Aldabaiba seeking long term partnership not interim solutions on combatting irregular migration

July 10, 2025
Acting Interior Minister Trabelsi taking steps to counter forged ID numbers and passports
Libya

There are 4 million irregular migrants in Libya: Interior Minister Trabelsi

July 10, 2025
GNU to take oath at Benghazi HoR session and budget to be approved at Tripoli session: GNU
Libya

Aldabaiba: Militias have become criminal gangs and a state within the state

July 9, 2025
Libya Herald exclusive: Responding to the prime minister’s call yesterday to the private sector and banks to do more, leading businessman Husni Bey responds
Business

Op-Ed: Reputational Damage Is Worse Than Losing Money

July 2, 2025
Libyan Russian Economic Forum starts in St. Petersburg
Libya

Libyan Russian Economic Forum starts in St. Petersburg

June 27, 2025
Next Post
Tripoli terror alert as offices are evacuated

Tripoli terror alert as offices are evacuated

Rada appeals to public for information on wanted terror suspects

Rada appeals to public for information on wanted terror suspects

ADVERTISEMENT

Top Stories

  • Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund signs contract with Turkey’s Ankamenia for maintenance of Benghazi University’s medical colleges

    Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund signs contract with Turkey’s Ankamenia for maintenance of Benghazi University’s medical colleges

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • BP to reopen office in Libya, Shell discusses prospects for cooperation in oil field development‎

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • All imports into Libya must be paid for through official bank transactions

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Libyan olive oils win gold at Anatolian, Berlin and Japan 2025 international olive oil competitions

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Aldabaiba opens First Phase of Tripoli’s Third Ring Road

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
ADVERTISEMENT
LibyaHerald

The Libya Herald first appeared on 17 February 2012 – the first anniversary of the Libyan Revolution. Since then, it has become a favourite go-to source on news about Libya, for many in Libya and around the world, regularly attracting millions of hits.

Recent News

CBL workshop on ‎”The Role of the Banking Sector in Revitalising Stalled Housing Projects and Urban Development”‎ to be held in Tripoli on 13 July

Attorney General provides update on investigation of incidents resulting from Tripoli 2025 armed clashes and demonstrations

Sitemap

  • Why subscribe?
  • Terms & Conditions
  • FAQs
  • Copyright & Intellectual Property Rights
  • Subscribe now

Newsletters

    Be the first to know latest important news & events directly to your inbox.

    Sending ...

    By signing up, I agree to our TOS and Privacy Policy.

    © 2022 LibyaHerald - Powered by Sparx Solutions.

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password? Sign Up

    Create New Account!

    Fill the forms below to register

    *By registering into our website, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
    All fields are required. Log In

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In
    No Result
    View All Result
    • Login
    • Sign Up
    • Libya
    • Business
    • Advertising
    • About us
    • BusinessEye Magazine
    • Letters
    • Features
    • Why subscribe?
    • FAQs
    • Contact

    © 2022 LibyaHerald - Powered by Sparx Solutions.

    This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.