Sewehli reported elected in Misrata for House of Representatives

By Taher Zaroog.

Misrata, 26 June 2014:

The first unofficial results of the elections are beginning to flow in.  Preliminary results from  Misrata . . .[restrict]indicate that Congressman Abdurrahman Sewehli has been elected as one of the city’s eight members in the new House of Representatives. He came fifth in the General List, according to the Libyan Observers Network which has been monitoring some of the election contests.

Topping the vote in the Misrata General List according to the monitors was Suleiman Al-Fagieh, followed by Fathi Bashagha, businessman Mohamed Raied, Mohamed Durrat, Sewehli, Mohamed Hneish and Kamel Al-Jamel.

The woman’s seat is said to have been won by Hanan Shalouf.

Confirmed results are not expected for some days.

Sewehli, a member of one of the most prominent Misrata families, heads the small Homeland Union party and has chaired the defence committee in Congress. Despite his party’s small presence, Sewehli has been a major influence in Congress.

Fagieh, a former air transport pilot, is a member of the Misrata Military Council and of the Shura Council. He has been a prominent figure in the city since the revolution and is highly regarded locally.

Bashagha is another former pilot, in this case a fighter pilot who during the revolution provided coordinates to NATO and as such is viewed as a war hero. He too is a member of the local Shura Council. His views on most matters are taken seriously in Misrata.

Raied, owner of the hugely successful Naseem dairy and yogurt company, is Misrata’s leading businessman and regarded as a role model for many in the country with business aspirations. During the revolution he helped both bankroll the city and keep it provisioned.

Durratt is another of Misrata’s successful businessmen, involved in the metal business.

Al-Jamel was also one of the military leaders in the city during the revolution. He is well regarded and has been described as “young but wise” by one local political observer.

Shalouf, who teaches at Mistarta University, is a political activist. [/restrict]