The UN Special Representative for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, met with the Vice President of the Presidential Council, Abdullah Al-Lafi earlier this week, to discuss the controversy surrounding the
appointment of the new head of Libyan intelligence and the security situation in the city of Al-Zawiya, the UN mission announced in a statement.
According to the statement, the meeting focused on the latest political and security developments in the country, as well as the UN mission’s efforts to advance its roadmap, particularly the so-called “mini-dialogue” meetings aimed at bridging the gap between the positions of key Libyan actors.
The two officials also discussed ways to unify the country’s military and security institutions, which
have remained divided between east and west for over a decade.
In the statement, Al-Lafi reaffirmed his support for the UN-led political process and the conclusions of the Structured Dialogue, a framework for discussions bringing together key Libyan institutions.
He stressed the need to address the fundamental issues – without specifying them further – deemed essential for achieving peace and stability, and for creating the conditions for inclusive elections,
long postponed in the country.
This meeting comes at a time of intense internal tensions within the Presidential Council. On Tuesday, one of its three members, Moussa Al-Koni, publicly challenged the legitimacy of the recent intelligence decision, stating that he had neither approved nor signed it.
He argued that any decision attributed to the Presidential Council must, to be valid, result from a collective vote of its members, in accordance with the 2015 Libyan Political Agreement; otherwise, it
would have no legal effect.
On Sunday, the Presidential Council announced the dismissal of Hussein Al-Ayeb from his position as head of the General Intelligence Service, replacing him with Abdulmajid Mliqta, a choice described by several sources as close to the Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.
This appointment immediately drew criticism regarding the procedure followed.
MK/AK/fss/as/APA