Egypt: Libya’s approval of 13th constitutional declaration amendment ‘important’ step to hold elections

CAIRO – 24 February 2023: Egypt hailed the approval of the 13th constitutional declaration amendment by the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR) and the High Council of State as an “important” step toward holding election in Libya.

In a statement on Friday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the approval of the constitutional declaration amendment is “an important step on the path of fulfilling the required frameworks for holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously, at the earliest opportunity.”

The Foreign Ministry affirmed the need to hold the Libyan elections under the supervision of a neutral executive authority that prioritizes the supreme interests of the sisterly Libyan state.

“Egypt has affirmed its aspiration that the Libyan House of Representative and State Council complete their efforts within the context of preparing the electoral laws to be passed by the HoR,” the Foreign Ministry stated.

The ministry reiterated Egypt's full support for the Libyan-Libyan solution, praising the efforts of the HoR, as the only elected legislative authority in Libya, and the High Council of the State.

Egypt also reaffirmed its rejection of any external dictates of the Libyan brothers or attempts of bypassing the role of Libyan institutions in accordance with the reference of the Skhirat Agreement.

In this regard, Egypt calls on all parties involved in the Libyan crisis to “adhere to these foundations and irreplaceable determinants.”

Egypt also stressed the need for ending external interference in Libya and ensuring the exit of all foreign forces, foreign fighters and mercenaries from the country.

Egypt also reaffirmed its support for the relevant task of the Joint Military Commission (5+5).

The HoR published on Thursday the 13th constitutional declaration amendment in the official gazette, local reports cited spokesman for HoR Abdullah Blehiq as saying.

The amendment, which includes 34 articles, defines the government’s new system and the tasks of the elected president and premier as Libya aims to hold its long-awaited presidential and parliamentary elections, which was scheduled for December 2021 as per a UN-sponsored plan.

The new amendment also defines the powers and tasks of the legislative authority.

In January, Speaker of Libya’s House of Representatives Aguila Saleh and Chairman of the Higher Council of State Khaled Al-Mishri held talks in Cairo, where they agreed on drawing a “clear and specified” roadmap later in order to hold the elections.

During the meeting, the Libya leaders issued a joint declaration following the talks in the headquarters of the Egyptian House of Representatives.

They agreed on drawing a roadmap that ensures completing all the required measures to complete the electoral process, including those related to the bases, laws, executive measures, and the unification of institutions.