The High Court rejected last Wednesday (22 January) the appeal filed by Khaled Mishri against the ruling issued by the South Tripoli Court of Appeal – Administrative Circuit. The South Tripoli Court of Appeal had confirmed that Mohamed Takala was the head of the High State Council (HSC).
Mishri and Takala are contesting two contested HSC elections. The first on 6 August 2024 reportedly returned Mishri as leader, while the second elections held in November 2024 reportedly returned Takala as head.
Takala welcomed the court ruling that in his view finally confirmed his position.
However, Mishri also welcomed the court ruling, saying he still considered himself as the rightfully elected head of the HSC. He said he awaits the verdict of another High Court ruling.
The HSC and its LPA role
It will be recalled that the Tripoli based HSC is an unelected advisory legislative body. It was born out of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) agreed by the then conflicting Libyan political parties in the Moroccan town of Skhirat, in December 2015.
According to the LPA, the eastern based and internationally recognised parliament, the House of Representatives (HoR). cannot make major appointments or enact any legislation without the approval of the HSC.