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By Libya Herald Reporters.
Tobruk, 23 August 2014:
The Libyan House of Representatives is under huge pressure to address the country’s deteriorating security . . .[restrict]situation and respond urgently to the struggle of the people of Tripoli and Benghazi as rival armed groups fight each other for control of Libya’s two mains cities.
One of the issues the parliament is currently trying to address is the government. There are different views on Abdullah Al-Thinni’s interim government. Some members believe Thinni and his cabinet should be replaced and a new prime minister appointed to form a new crisis government. This argument appears to be attracting support.
Younis Fanoush, a representative for Benghazi said he believed Thinni should be replaced. “We need a true crisis government under a new leadership in Libya to address the chaotic and deteriorating security situation” Fanoush told the Libya Herald, “The new government must address the security situation as its top priority during these turbulent times” he added.
On the other hand, the parliament has agreed on the direct election of a president and that one of the powers of the office, according to the constitutional declaration, is to form a new government. Therefore a group of legislators is suggesting Thinni be kept on as premier for now.
He should however be asked to reshuffle his administration and form a smaller crisis cabinet to address the security situation, until a new president is elected and builds a new government.
“We can keep the current prime minister, but request that he reforms his government and present a smaller crisis government” Said Amal Bayau another Benghazi representative.
There certainly seems to be consensus that any government will have to be smaller and be formed to address the security situation as its top priority. The parliament is clearly intent on tackling the security situation.
There is apparently agreement that the current Chief of Staff Jadallah al-Obaidi should be sacked. There are already candidates for his job but their names have yet to be announced.
There is a group of parliamentarians calling for the formation of a Higher Council for Armed Forces. However, others are sceptical of such move and would prefer to keep the post of the Chief of Staff, while ensuring there is a civilian oversight of the military.
One person calling for a Higher Council for Armed Forces is Operation Dignity leader General Khalifa Hafter. However, legislators point out that the creation of such a body would require extensive consultations between Libya’s politicians and prominent armed forces figures.
So far, the parliament seems to be equally split between forming a new crisis government under new leadership and tasking Thinni with the formation of such a crisis government. However, there is consensus that the next government will have to be a smaller and must be security focused. The issue will be on the parliament’s agenda tomorrow. [/restrict]
