By Sami Zaptia.
London, 6 March 2021:
The designate prime minister of the new Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU), Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba, affirmed yesterday that in the formation of the government that he has presented to parliament (the House of Representatives – HoR) for a vote of confidence, he took into account a balance between competence and geographical representation.
He said the balance between competence and ensuring broad participation for all regions through the various electoral districts was taken into account, so that the government is represented virtually by all Libyans.
Aldabaiba stated that he took into consideration the conflict situation that the country has been going through for years and the feeling of many groups that feel marginalized and unrepresented.
He explained that in his ministerial formation and structuring, he preserved the current number of ministries – with a limited modification – as reducing them by restructuring and merging them and merging their departments would have taken time. He said he did not have time during this stage, and that such restructuring would have entailed additional unconsidered expenditures.
Aldabaiba said that among the priorities of the government’s work will be improving services for citizens, unifying state institutions, and ending the transitional stages through elections.
Will reunified HoR meet Monday in Sirte to endorse GNU?
It will be recalled that Aldabaiba presented his named government to the HoR on Thursday (4 March). The reunified HoR is supposed to meet in Sirte on Monday 8 March for a vote of confidence in Aldabaiba’s GNU.
The GNU’s main raison d’être: 24 December elections
The GNU’s main raison d’être is to organize the country for the 24 December 2021 elections. Unlike the two previous elections, this election is supposed to be based on a full constitution, thereby taking the country out of the transitional period it has been in since the 2011 revolution.
Ministers’ names leaked?
Although he has not publicized or officially confirmed the names of his government, purported lists that are consistently similar in names and numbers have been widely leaked on social media.
The lists average at about 32 portfolios, with 25 Ministers and five Ministers of State. There are two Deputy prime ministers. Very notably, in all leaked lists, the position of Defence Minister is vacant.
Defence Minister’s portfolio vacant?
The ultra-sensitive position will probably be taken by Aldabaiba himself. His soon-to-be predecessor, Faiez Serraj, also held the post. This is the post very much sought by Khalifa Hafter.
First ever female Libyan Foreign Minister?
Another notable leaked position is the purported appointment of an eastern woman as Foreign Minister (Lami Abusidra). If this is confirmed, it would be a major coup for Libyan woman rights.
Bashagha out?
Aldabaiba did not keep his fellow Misratan Fathi Bashagha on as Interior Minister. Many analysts thought Bashagha, although seeking too much publicity and craving the office of prime minister, did quite a good job in interior – especially in his attempt to reduce the influence of militias.
Bashagha had lost out in the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) selection process (together with HoR head Ageela Saleh) to Aldabaiba’s winning list.
PM designate Aldabaiba submits names of GNU to Tobruk HoR | (libyaherald.com)
New designated Libyan leaders call on UN to urgently release bribery report | (libyaherald.com)
UNSMIL cannot comment on alleged LPDF bribery allegations | (libyaherald.com)
Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba’s GNU: Not women friendly? | (libyaherald.com)
