Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh met with African Parliament President Fortune Charumbira on Tuesday in Benghaszi, Libya.
In a joint press conference, Saleh welcomed Charumbira and his delegation, saying their visit showed their commitment to Libya and their desire to help resolve the country’s crisis.
Saleh also stressed that the Libyan House of Representatives is the only elected legislative body in Libya and that it has the sole authority to issue laws, grant confidence to the government, withdraw confidence, and ratify international treaties and agreements.
He added that any attempt to undermine these powers or obstruct the work of the House of Representatives is an attack on the powers of any elected parliament. He called on the African Parliament to unite in support of the Libyan House of Representatives, respect its legislation, and endorse any government that has the confidence of the House.
Saleh also pointed out that the House of Representatives has issued a general amnesty law and a law abolishing political isolation, which are the basis for national reconciliation in Libya. It has also issued a law on the army, appointed the commander-in-chief and chief of staff, and issued a law on the election of the president and the House of Representatives, which is the basis for the legitimacy of the authorities and the realization of democracy and the peaceful transfer of power through the ballot box.
The House of Representatives speaker explained that reaching the electoral entitlement requires the formation of a small unified government whose primary task is to conduct elections in accordance with the laws that have been issued and that are fair to all without exclusion or marginalization. He stressed that it is essential to respect the will of the Libyan people to choose their own leaders through the ballot box in a country that is not controlled by armed militias.
Saleh also stressed that the Libyan-Libyan consensus is based on the necessity and right of all Libyans to run for the presidential and parliamentary elections. He said that those who reject this want to continue the chaos and instability in Libya. He called on the African Parliament to support the Libyan House of Representatives, which was elected by the people, to reach a unified government and hold simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections.
Saleh also called on all Libyans to recognize the dangers surrounding Libya and the need to engage in the political solution process and unify state institutions. He also called on the United Nations mission to work to implement the laws issued for the holding of elections.
Saleh also announced that the House of Representatives is no longer bound by any commitments made with people who do not have the authority to conclude agreements. He said that any action that violates the constitutional declaration and the political agreement and is not approved by the Libyan House of Representatives is null and void.
For his part, Charumbira expressed his happiness for visiting the Libyan House of Representatives and thanked Saleh for his hospitality. He expressed his wish to see a united Libya.
