Government of National Unity (Libya)
| Government of National Unity حكومة الوحدة الوطنية | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| Overview | |
| Established | 10 March 2021 |
| Country | Libya |
| Leader | Prime Minister of Libya |
| Appointed by | Libyan House of Representatives |
| Main organ | Cabinet of Libya |
| Headquarters | Tripoli |
 |
|---|
|
|
 Libya portal |
The Government of National Unity (Arabic: حكومة الوحدة الوطنية, Hukumat al Wahdat al Watania) is a provisional government for Libya formed on 10 March 2021 to unify the rival Government of National Accord based in Tripoli and the Second Al-Thani Cabinet, based in Tobruk. Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh is the Prime Minister of the unity government and was selected in the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum on 5 February 2021.[1] It is de facto backed by the governments of Turkey, Qatar, Algeria, Pakistan and Palestine.[2]
Creation[edit]
Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh was selected as Prime Minister by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), together with Mohamed al-Menfi as Chairman of the Presidential Council, Musa al-Koni and Abdullah al-Lafi as Presidential Council members.[1] Dbeibeh was required under the agreements made by the LPDF to nominate a cabinet of ministers to the House of Representatives (HoR) by 26 February 2021.[3]
On 15 February, Dbeibeh stated his intention to contact people in all 13 electoral areas of Libya for discussing proposed nominations as ministers, and for the cabinet to represent a cross-section of Libyans. The LPDF rules state that if Dbeibeh fails to present his proposed cabinet to the HoR by 26 February, or the HoR does not approve the proposed cabinet, then decision-making returns to the LPDF.[3][4] Dbeibeh said the following day that he would consult with the High Council of State, the HoR and the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission.[5]
On 15 February, about 20 HoR members were present at an HoR session held in Tobruk, chaired by Aguila Saleh Issa in the "eastern" component of the HoR; 70 HoR members were present at Sabratha, the HoR session of the "western" component. The Tobruk bloc called for GNU offices to be located in Sirte and for the HoR to hold a special session for approving the proposed GNU cabinet. According to the Libya Herald, the two branches of the HoR remained in competition with one another.[6]
On 10 March 2021, the House of Representatives met in the central city of Sirte and approved with a 121–11 vote the formation of the Government of National Unity led by Mohamed al-Menfi as chairman of the Presidential Council and Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh as Prime Minister.[7]
The House of Representatives, which rules eastern Libya, passed a no-confidence motion against the unity government on 21 September 2021.[8] On 3 March 2022 a rival Government of National Stability was installed in Sirte, under the leadership of Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha.[9] The decision was denounced as illegitimate by the High Council of State and condemned by the United Nations.[10][11]
Both governments have been functioning simultaneously, which has led to dual power in Libya. The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum keeps corresponding with ceasefire agreement.[12] Since May 2022, there have been clashes between supporters of the two governments in Libya,[13] which escalated on 27 August 2022.[14]
Dbeibeh cabinet[edit]
A list of members of Dbeibeh's cabinet was released on 11 March 2021.[15]
- Deputy Prime Minister: Hussein Atiya Abdul Hafeez Al-Qatrani (east).
- Deputy Prime Minister: Ramadan Ahmed Boujenah (south).
- Minister of Agriculture & Livestock Resources: Hamad Abdul-Razzaq Taher Al-Marimi
- Minister of Water Resources: Tariq Abdel Salam Mustafa Abu Flika
- Minister of Marine Resources: Adel Mohamed Sultan Hassan
- Minister of Sports: Abdul Shafi` Hussein Muhammad Al-Juifi
- Minister of Planning: Fakher Muftah Bufarna
- Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation: Najla Mangoush – First female in post
- Minister of Health: Ali Muhammad Miftah Al-Zinati
- Minister of Education: Musa Muhammad al-Maqrif
- Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts: Abd Al-Salam Abdullah Al-Lahi-Tiki
- Minister of Interior: Khaled Tijani Mazen
- Minister of Environment: Ibrahim Al-Arabi Mounir
- Minister of Labour and Rehabilitation: Ali Al-Abed Al-Reda Abu Azoum
- Minister of Social Affairs: Wafaa Abu Bakr Muhammad al-Kilani
- Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development: Mabrouka Othman Oki
- Minister of Defence: (Controversial position left vacant. Held jointly by the Presidency Council)
- Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research: Imran Muhammad Abdul Nabi Al-Qeeb
- Minister of Technical and Vocational Education: Saeed Sifaw
- Minister of Industry and Minerals: Ahmed Ali Muhammad Omar
- Minister of Justice: Halima Ibrahim Abdel Rahman
- Minister of Civil Service: Abdul Fattah Saleh Muhammad Al-Khawja
- Minister of Transportation: Muhammad Salem Al-Shahoubi
- Minister of Housing and Construction: Abubaker Mohamed Al-Ghawi
- Minister of Local Government: Badr Al-Din Al-Sadiq Al-Toumi
- Minister of Youth: Fathallah Abd al-Latif Al-Zani
- Minister of Economy and Trade: Mohamed Hwej
- Minister of Oil and Gas: Muhammad Ahmad Muhammad Aoun
- Minister of Finance: Khaled Al-Mabrouk Abdullah
- Minister of State for Displaced Affairs and Human Rights: Ahmed Faraj Mahjoub Abu Khuzam
- Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs: Walid Ammar Muhammad Ammar Al-Lafi
- Minister of State for Immigration Affairs: Ijdid Maatouk Jadeed
- Minister of State for Prime Minister and Cabinet Affairs: Adel Jumaa Amer
- Minister of State for Women Affairs: Houria Khalifa Miloud
- Minister of State for Economic Affairs: Salama Ibrahim Al-Ghwail
References[edit]
- ^ a b Sami Zaptia (5 February 2021). "BREAKING: New unified Libyan government selected by LPDF in Geneva". Libya Herald. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ "Libya's new PM Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh to visit Turkey". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
"Exclusive: Turkey 'friend and ally' to Libya: Interim PM". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
"Agreement with Turkey in interest of Libya: Dbeibah". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
"Libyan premier invites Qatar to attend 'stability conference'". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
"Al-Lafi affirms Libya's support for an independent Palestine with Al-Quds as its capital | The Libya Observer". libyaobserver.ly. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
"Libya: Ben-Gvir storming of Al-Aqsa is a provocation to all Muslims | The Libya Observer". libyaobserver.ly. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
"Libya condemns escalation against Palestinians in occupied territories | The Libya Observer". libyaobserver.ly. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
"Libya, Qatar review boosting bilateral relations | The Libya Observer". libyaobserver.ly. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
"Libya's Dbeibah heading to Algeria for visit, GNU says". Reuters. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
"Dbeibeh says Algeria qualified to lead Libyan reconciliation". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
"Pakistan welcomes unity government formed in Libya". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 14 February 2023. - ^ a b Zaptia, Sami (15 February 2021). "Aldabaiba and Menfi continue to hold meetings ahead of government formation and approval by parliament". Libya Herald. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ Alharathy, Safa (15 February 2021). "PM Dbeibah: Cabinet team will be ready before deadline". The Libya Observer. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ Assad, Abdulkader (16 February 2021). "Dbeibah says to form new government after consulting with Libya's state institutions". The Libya Observer. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ Zaptia, Sami (15 February 2021). "Tobruk HoR to hold special session in Sirte to grant confidence to new Government of National Unity". Libya Herald. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ "Libya lawmakers approve interim govt in key step towards elections". Radio France Internationale. Agence France-Presse. 10 March 2021.
- ^ "Libya's parliament passes no-confidence vote in unity government". Al Jazeera. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- ^ Assad, Abdulkader (3 March 2022). "Bashagha's government sworn in at House of Representatives in Tobruk". The Libya Observer.
- ^ Alharathy, Safa (1 March 2022). "HCS: Granting confidence to a new government violates Political Agreement". The Libya Observer.
- ^ "UN voices concern over vote on new Libyan prime minister". Al Jazeera. 3 March 2022.
- ^ "Libya — a tale of two governments, again". Arab News. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ "Clashes force Libya's Bashagha from Tripoli after brief attempt to enter". Reuters. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ "Libya clashes: UN calls for ceasefire after 32 killed". BBC News. 28 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ "Names of Libya's newly endorsed Government of National Unity". Libya Herald. 11 March 2021.
