The Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR), Ageela Saleh, announced yesterday the cancellation, and postponement to another undeclared date, of the HoR session that he had called for today.
Saleh also declared that he considered the breakaway HoR session held yesterday at the HoR’s Benghazi headquarters, headed by Second Deputy HoR Speaker Misbah Douma, “is not considered an official session of the HoR, and does not have any legal effect”.
Saleh’s statement added, “Any procedures, decisions, or outputs that may be issued by this meeting lack legal support for not following the procedures and controls stipulated in the law and the internal regulations regulating the work of the House of Representatives, especially with regard to procedures for amending and approving laws.”
102 HoR members attended yesterday’s meeting
It will be recalled that 102 ‘‘breakaway’’ HoR members reportedly attended yesterday’s meeting, with 87 being widely accepted as the needed quorum, according to the HoR’s Official Spokesperson, formerly a loyal stalwart to Saleh.
The session addressed the adoption of a parliamentary term system, based on a request submitted by several members.
The request stipulated that:
· A parliamentary term system be adopted for the HoR’s elected leadership;
· The term of office is set at twelve months from the date of election, concluding automatically upon the expiration of this period.
· The subsequent parliamentary term begins with the election of a new leadership.
· The new system takes effect immediately upon the approval of this amendment, and the new leadership must be elected within seven days of that date.
· Failure to hold a session to elect or renew the leadership on schedule does not result in any extension or continuation of the outgoing leadership's term, nor does it create any additional tenure.
· The outgoing leadership is prohibited from obstructing or postponing the convening of the HoR, the election of the new leadership, or any procedure that would extend its own term.
· Should the outgoing leadership refrain from calling for the election of the new leadership, the HoR shall convene by operation of law—without the need for a formal summons—provided the required quorum is met; the eldest member shall preside over the session, and the youngest member shall serve as rapporteur.
· The session shall continue until the election of the new leadership is concluded.
98 out of the 102 attendees adopted the new system
Following deliberation and discussion of the above, the Official HoR Spokesperson reported that HoR voted to adopt the parliamentary term system with 98 out of 102 votes in favour.
Saleh’s cancellation of today’s session?
It will be recalled that Speaker Ageela Saleh had originally called Sunday for the convening of a session to be held in the same place and city today. However, Saleh was forced to cancel his attempt to convene an HoR session.
Why did Saleh cancel today’s session?
In his statement Saleh did not clarify his reasons for cancelling today’s session. It is unclear if he made the decision in acceptance of the new status quo.
Or did his former loyal posse of 20-30 members inform him that they would not be attending?
Equally, Saleh and/or his supporters may have been informed that they would not be allowed to gather at the HoR’s official Benghazi headquarters.
Similarly, he and they may have been warned or threatened by Hafter that they may be arrested if they attempted to convene?
Libyan HoR Members Vote to Limit Speaker Term in Benghazi Session