Members of Libya's House of Representatives declared their support for an initiative presented by the United States to find a solution to the political crisis in the country. In two separate statements published on Saturday by 47 MPs and on Monday by 57 MPs, a total of 104 members announced they welcomed the initiative for executive unity proposed by US President Donald Trump's Middle East and Africa advisor, Masad Bulus.
Content of the initiative
According to widely circulating reports, the US initiative envisages merging the Government of National Unity, headed by Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and the House of Representatives Government, headed by Osama Hammad, into a single government under Dbeibah's leadership. The proposal also includes forming a new presidential council headed by the Deputy General Commander of the eastern military forces, Seddam Haftar.
In their statements, the MPs emphasized that they support all efforts aimed at ending political and institutional division and ensuring the Libyan people's right to choose their representatives through free, fair, and democratic elections.
Support from local administrations
On Sunday, municipal councils of cities such as Benghazi, Gaminis, Al Bayda, Shati, Al Kube, Susa, Al Abrak, Werdame, Al Gikab (east), Sirte, Hrave, As Sidre (central), Sabha, Birak al Shati, Idri, Bergin, Al Garda (south) announced their approval of Masad Bulus's initiative by publishing video statements read by municipal mayors.
Similar statements of support also came from municipalities of cities such as Al Kufra (southeast), Ubari, Al Garika, Jerma, Karakra, Al Wadi al-Sharqi, Bent Biye, Ar Rakibe, Murzuk, Traghan, Wadi Atbe, Al Katrun, Ticeri, Zawiya al-Sharqiya, Al Juf al-Gharbi (southwest).
Statements from the military and the US
The command of the military forces in eastern Libya announced in a statement on Thursday that they "are ready to engage in a direct negotiation process to finalize the details of Masad Bulus's initiative and reach a final formula that will realize the country's supreme interests and chart the path to holding elections in the shortest possible time."
US President's advisor Masad Bulus, on Friday, welcomed the eastern Libyan military's announcement of readiness to join negotiations in a statement published on the X platform, described as the first official American statement on the initiative. Bulus said, "The United States will work closely with actors in Libya, the UN Mission, and our international partners to help the Libyan people realize these expectations."
Other reactions and current situation
In previous statements, the President of Libya's High State Council, Mohammed Takala, and the President of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohammed al-Menfi, had declared their rejection of the "American initiative."
On the other hand, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aguila Saleh, the President of the High State Council, Takala, and the President of the Presidential Council, al-Menfi, announced in a joint statement on Thursday that they had agreed on a new roadmap including holding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections before February 2027 and forming a high committee to oversee them. However, this step did not receive approval from any party, institution, or structure in Libya.
Libya is currently experiencing a conflict between the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity headed by Abdulhamid Dbeibah and the Benghazi-based House of Representatives Government headed by Osama Hammad. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya has been managing efforts for years aimed at leading the country to elections.
