The Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed al-Menfi, emphasized the necessity of holding elections as soon as possible and indicated the possibility of organizing them in 2025, provided that a swift consensus is reached among the relevant Libyan parties.
Al-Menfi considered the success of the recent municipal elections a positive indicator of the country’s ability to conduct successful national elections.
In another context, al-Menfi clarified that the Joint Military Commission (5+5) is not responsible for the withdrawal of mercenaries from Libya, asserting that this issue requires an elected president and a unified legislative institution. He also stressed that the current institutional division hinders discussions on critical security and economic problems, such as the migration file, which necessitates developing a comprehensive strategic vision for border protection.
Regarding the Advisory Committee formed by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, al-Menfi clarified that it is not binding on the Libyan parties, proposing resorting to a popular referendum to resolve contentious issues. He affirmed that the Presidential Council does not have the authority to dissolve the House of Representatives and the State Council, but it can call for a popular referendum on this matter.
On the economic front, al-Menfi warned that the barter system between the Central Bank and the National Oil Corporation has led to widespread financial corruption, demanding the unification of the general budget and the abolition of this system to maintain the stability of the national economy and the exchange rate. He stressed that economic reform in Libya requires the application of transparency principles and the strengthening of oversight mechanisms to ensure its success.
In conclusion, al-Menfi pointed out that the institutional division in the country is partly due to the weakness of security control, emphasizing the importance of cooperation with the United Nations to address these challenges. He also clarified that the Presidential Council is not a service entity and that its policy is based on effective communication with all Libyan parties.
