The Administrative Circuit of the Zawia Court of Appeal issued a ruling—specifically regarding the urgent aspect of Administrative Appeal No. 173/2026—ordering the suspension of the implementation of Presidential Council Decisions Nos. 8, 9, and 10 of 2026.
These decisions of 29 June this year concerned the dismissal of the Head of the Libyan General Intelligence Service, Lieutenant General Hussein Mohamed Al-Ayeb, the appointment of Abdulmajid Mliqta as his successor, and the designation of a Deputy for the Service.
This appellate ruling joins a consistent series of judicial orders and judgments issued by various courts across Libya, all of which concur on the necessity of halting the implementation of these decisions and nullifying their effects.
It is noteworthy that the earlier ruling by the Tripoli Court—which cited a lack of jurisdiction (whether regarding the court's general authority or subject-matter competence)—does not confer any legitimacy or validity upon the aforementioned decisions, nor does it alter their substantive invalidity.
Consequently, the Libyan judicial stance—across all circuits and levels—remains unified in affirming the invalidity and lack of legal effect of the cited Presidential Council decisions; there is no judicial ruling that legitimizes them.
The controversial appointment
It will be recalled that although the controversial appointment was ostensibly made by the Presidency Council, headed by Mohamed Al-Menfi, Musa Al-Koni, Member of the Presidency Council denied he had approved the changing of the head of General Intelligence.
Equally, House of Representatives Speaker, Ageela Saleh, rejected the appointments and also stated that the timing of these sovereign position appointments by the Presidency Council, without consulting other bodies, is meant to cause political turbulence.
The appointment has caused a split within the service with many members loyal to the outgoing head resisting the change. There were reports that the new head used force to enter the service’s headquarters and enter his office.
It is unclear if the court rulings will succeed in reversing the new appointment which is part of a wider political tug-of-war.
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