The escalation of tension between the Libyan parties threatens to obstruct the transitional process

Tensions increased between the Libyan factions after the escalation by the National Unity Government headed by Abdul Hamid al-Dabaiba against the Supreme Council of State and its head, Khaled al-Mishri, on July 13, 2023. Such tension prevented some members of the Council from traveling to Turkey through Mitiga Airport, and threatened to impose house arrest on al-Mishri.

In addition to preventing members of the State Council from traveling, the Internal Security Agency of the Government of National Unity arrested Faraj Boumtari on charges of involvement in corruption cases, when he was Minister of Finance in the former Government of National Accord.

On July 10, some members of the House of Representatives loyal to Khalifa Haftar - including the head of the Defense and National Security Committee, Talal Al-Mihoub - obstructed a session moderated by Speaker Aqila Saleh, which was aimed at discussing amending the electoral laws for the transitional period, which was reached by the 6 + 6 committee.

The recent tension in the Libyan scene can be attributed to the following reasons:

1- The leaks that talked about understandings between the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aguila Saleh, and the President of the High Council of State, Khaled Al-Mashri, regarding approving the appointments of political institutions, especially the replacement of the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya, as Faraj Boumtari is considered among the candidates for this position.

2- The approval of a section of the Supreme Council of the State, under the supervision of its President, Khaled Al-Mishri, a plan for political transition and the holding of general elections within 240 days from the date of the House of Representatives’ approval of the electoral laws issued by the 6 + 6 Committee, which was apparently considered by the head of the national unity government as a threat to the future of his government.

3- The Libyan parties in general seek to ensure their acquisition of sovereign institutions that provide them with a continuity of presence in the Libyan scene. In this context, Khalifa Haftar and his sons oppose the House of Representatives' ratification of the laws issued by the 6 + 6 committee that place restrictions on the candidacy of dual nationals, and always tries to pressure the Speaker of the House of Representatives to ensure that no laws that harm Haftar's political future are ratified.

4- The Governor of the Central Bank of Libya, Al-Siddiq Al-Kabeer, has taken advantage of his management of an institution vital to the Libyan government, and played political roles in coordination with the Government of National Unity; because of hi being afraid of attempts to replace him.

The atmosphere in Libya is still not conducive to agreeing on a roadmap for the political transition, in light of the sharp division and the multiplicity of parties controlling the country with the support of different regional countries. Therefore, the possibility of an outbreak of armed conflict anew remains as a result of the increased level of competition, and the escalation of fears of some parties about attempts of excluding them according to understandings between the two legislative institutions.