The council emphasized in its statement that “the formation of the court and the swearing-in of its members were based on a law that had previously been annulled by a final ruling from the Supreme Court in 2021,” noting that “everything built upon it is null and void.” It called on all authorities, especially the judiciary and public prosecution, to respect final judicial rulings and to counter what it described as attempts to politically exploit institutions.
The council warned of the dangers it described as “imposing parallel judicial bodies,” considering that these practices undermine the independence of the judiciary and threaten the unity of state institutions, potentially leading to further constitutional chaos and institutional conflict, which could hinder the anticipated electoral process.
More than two-thirds of the members of the High Council of State in Libya participated in the council’s presidential elections, which resulted in the election of Mohamed Takala, who received 59 votes. The committee convened in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, last month, and the elections were decided in the first round, according to Libyan news.
The process witnessed strict security measures implemented by the Ministry of Interior’s agencies, according to a plan prepared by the Tripoli Security Directorate to secure the hotel surroundings and activate rapid intervention teams, which allowed the session to be held in a calm and organized atmosphere.
The Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, congratulated Mohamed Takala on gaining the confidence of the council members, affirming the government’s support for everything that enhances political stability in the country. Dbeibeh pointed out that “the election of the council’s presidency office is a step towards overcoming transitional phases,” calling for “greater coordination between institutions to achieve Libyans’ aspirations for security and development and to organize direct elections that end the state of division and restore the democratic process.”
Libya has been suffering from a complex political crisis since 2011, amidst a deep political and institutional division, with two rival governments: one in Tripoli in the west of the country, which is the Government of National Unity, and the other in Benghazi in the east, appointed by the parliament. This division is accompanied by duplication, most notably the legislative authority represented by the House of Representatives in Tobruk and its consultative partner according to the Skhirat Agreement, and the High Council of State in Tripoli.
