Libya’s Justice Minister, Khaled Massoud, has formally rejected a declaration by the outgoing Government of National Unity (GNU) accepting the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC). In a legal memorandum addressed to the court, Massoud cited Article 12 of the Rome Statute, arguing that the declaration lacks constitutional legitimacy and violates Libya’s judicial sovereignty.
The minister asserted that the GNU, having exceeded its mandate, is not authorized to make binding international commitments. He described the move as a “serious encroachment” on the independence of Libya’s judiciary and a breach of national sovereignty.
The memorandum emphasized that only a constitutionally mandated authority can accept ICC jurisdiction, and any unilateral action by a government lacking legal standing should be considered null and void.
Massoud concluded by urging the ICC to respect Libya’s sovereign institutions and refrain from engaging with declarations issued by entities that are not recognized by the political community. He called for the preservation of Libya’s judicial independence and the integrity of its national legal framework.
