Libya has recently witnessed a massive wave of public demonstrations across numerous cities, where citizens clearly articulated their demand for the urgent conduct of both presidential and parliamentary elections. Protesters view this as the essential step needed to restore lost legitimacy, unify state institutions, and definitively end the protracted political division.
These mass movements coincide with supportive official positions. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Counsellor Aguila Saleh, several council members, and the Prime Minister of the Libyan Government have all underscored the critical necessity of enforcing the electoral laws and holding the presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible, in support of the Libyan people’s right to choose their leadership via the ballot box.
In this context, House Speaker Aguila Saleh called on the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) to implement the laws passed by the House and proceed immediately with presidential elections. He stressed that the will of nearly 3 million registered Libyan voters confirms the need to move forward.
In a separate statement, House member Misbah Douma urged the HNEC to take swift action to ensure the conduct of presidential and parliamentary elections according to the respective laws. Douma advocated for opening the door to candidacy for all who meet the legal requirements to guarantee the people’s right to choose their president and representatives. He also stressed that the international community must support the will of the Libyans and avoid negative interference that could obstruct the democratic process and the peaceful transfer of power.
Osama Hammad, the Prime Minister of the Libyan Government, also joined the voices of the “National Movement” demonstrators, stressing the importance of rapidly holding presidential elections to terminate the institutional split. Hammad praised the efforts of the House of Representatives in preserving freedoms and rights, urging coordination with the HNEC to establish a mechanism that ensures the speedy fulfillment of popular demands. Hammad noted the imperative for the international community to respect the will of the Libyans, calling on regional and international partners to support the people’s choice for comprehensive presidential elections and stand against any interventions that could undermine the electoral track.
Widespread Protests Reject Crisis Recycling, Demand Direct Elections
Demonstrators took to the streets on Friday in several cities, insisting that elections must not be postponed. In Al-Jufra and Zillah, social components and sports clubs affirmed that direct presidential elections are the sole path to unifying institutions and ending the division. These groups called on the international community and relevant bodies to empower the people to elect their president, rejecting what they termed the “recycling of the Libyan crisis” by the UN Mission (UNSMIL), and demanded that the Mission respect the will of the citizens and abandon ineffective dialogue paths.
Citizens of Bani Walid similarly demanded urgent presidential elections, asserting that it is the necessary corrective measure to end severe security and economic crises. In Januzur, citizens protested outside the UNSMIL headquarters, demanding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary polls.
The people of Derna declared a comprehensive civil disobedience, demanding immediate presidential elections as a legitimate right to rebuild state legitimacy, while rejecting UNSMIL interference in internal affairs. Youth activists in Benghazi emphasized the need for free and fair presidential elections to end the continuous political chaos and fragmentation, warning against continued political recklessness.
The elders and citizens of Awjila declared their support for urgent elections, while the women of Murzuq demanded elections to unify institutions and alleviate human suffering caused by the decline in health, education, and services. Dignitaries and civil society institutions from the Fezzan region, based in Sabha, supported direct presidential elections, rejecting reliance on external parties and failed organizations.
In Bargan and Idri Al-Shati, peaceful movements called for the urgent election of a president as a decisive step to restore stability. The Municipal Council and elders of Tazerbu also demanded immediate presidential elections, holding the UN Mission responsible for prolonging the crisis. The city of Tobruk called for unified presidential and parliamentary elections, affirming the Libyan people’s inherent right to determine their own destiny.
Healthcare workers participated in the public demonstrations, providing necessary measures to ensure participant safety and maintaining full readiness of medical and ambulance teams. Over 24 healthcare facilities—including hospitals, clinics, and specialized centres in Benghazi, Derna, Tobruk, and other areas—supported the protests to ensure emergency medical care for all demonstrators.
These combined popular movements and official stances underscore the unity of purpose between Libyan citizens and official institutions: the necessity of holding presidential and parliamentary elections without delay to rebuild the state on democratic foundations and pave the way for development and stability.
