Abdoulaye Bathily, the United Nations Envoy to Libya, affirmed on Tuesday that the country has reached a “crucial stage” on the path to elections. He stated that the conclusion of the 6+6 committee’s preparation of election law drafts is an “opportunity that should not be missed.”
He clarified that the current situation in Libya is “no longer tolerable,” confirming his commitment to facilitating dialogue among all parties.
The UN envoy also called on Libyan leaders to reach “universally accepted decisions” concerning the election laws. He urged Libyan leaders to demonstrate wisdom, a spirit of consensus, and political insight to arrive at universally acceptable decisions regarding the contentious aspects of these laws.
Bathily warned that taking “hasty and non-inclusive decisions” could deepen the existing crisis and lead to a new cycle of violence, emphasizing the importance of avoiding such a scenario.
According to the Arab World News Agency, Batteli noted that successful national elections are an indispensable step towards continuing the national reconciliation process, rebuilding a unified, stable, and prosperous Libya for all its inhabitants.
The Libyan Parliament voted on Monday to select the President and members of the Constitutional Court, despite the Supreme Court ruling against its constitutionality. This move threatens to spark new disagreements with the High Council of State and jeopardize the unity of the judiciary.
This action is likely to renew disputes with the Supreme Court in the capital, Tripoli, which previously ruled the unconstitutionality of the Constitutional Court law issued by Parliament, and the High Council of State, which rejects the law. They believe that establishing the court is a constitutional matter and does not fall within legislative powers.
The Constitutional Court has been a point of contention among political and judicial parties in Libya ever since the Parliament approved a law to establish a Constitutional Court consisting of 13 members in Benghazi instead of the Constitutional Chamber at the Supreme Court in Tripoli. The law stipulates that the constitutionality of laws can only be challenged by the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister, 10 deputies, or 10 ministers, and did not include any reference to members of the State Council.
In Libya, the Constitutional Court is responsible for settling cases and appeals with constitutional and legal aspects, disputes about laws, legislations, and decisions issued by the executive and legislative authorities, and any violation or challenge to the constitutional declaration.
