Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff
The UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord took control of several major ministries on Monday in its continued efforts to establish itself and implement the Libyan Political Agreement.
It assumed charge of the foreign ministry, as well as the ministries for housing and public utilities, transport, social affairs, local government, youth and sports, and Islamic affairs.
As power is transferred to the GNA, it is more likely that this administration will become the main authority in Libya. The planning, education and labour ministries are due to be handed over in the days ahead. These handovers are a vital part of building the new government.
The Libyan Political Agreement, signed in Skhirat on 17 December 2015, endorsed by the UN Security Council through Resolution 2259 adopted unanimously on 23 December 2015, remains the basis for political progress in Libya and the formation of the GNA.
Representatives from a broad range of Libyan society signed the United Nations-brokered agreement. The Libyan Political Agreement has been fully supported by the UN and the international community, which consider the GNA as the sole legitimate government in Libya.
Recently the EU called upon all stakeholders, particularly those in the region, to continue to urge all parties in Libya to engage constructively with the GNA and all other institutions included in the Libyan Political Agreement. The EU stressed that UNSCR 2259 includes a call to cease support to and official contact with parallel institutions that claim to have legitimate authority but are outside the Agreement.
The Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR), backed by General Haftar, has proven to be the main obstacle to Libya’s path forward.
Malta’s Foreign Secretary, George Vella, has stated that the hesitation of the Tobruk-based HoR in carrying out a vote of confidence for the GNA could place the economic and financial situations of the Libyan state at the risk of collapse.
The Times of Malta reported Vella as saying that the delay and hesitation of the HoR could increase chaos and security deterioration within Libya, which would pave the way for the spread of terrorism and extremism.
