The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Counselor Aguila Saleh, asserted during a parliamentary session today that the pivotal moment confronting lawmakers necessitates an unwavering commitment to truth and justice, free from political, regional, or personal score-settling. Saleh underscored the parliament’s solidarity with “our people in Tripoli and their legitimate demand for the downfall of the Government of National Unity, whose mandate has expired according to the House of Representatives’ decision.”
He contended that the government “was built on falsehoods from the moment of its selection in Geneva,” deeming the Libyan people and the international community “witnesses to a distorted and suspicious choice.” Saleh added that the House of Representatives “never ceased offering advice and counsel” after granting confidence to the government, yet it “was compelled to issue Decision No. 10 of 2021, which withdrew confidence from the Government of National Unity and designated it a caretaker government.”
Saleh added that for the House of Representatives, this government “has been as good as non-existent for three years,” characterising its performance as a resounding failure to embody a government of national unity. Instead, he claimed, it “deepened institutional division, legitimised armed militias, supported them with Libyan funds, and contributed to their strengthening.”
He criticised what he described as “militia clashes amidst civilian populations, endangering citizens’ lives,” noting that the government’s expenditure “contradicts its project achievements.” He also held it responsible for the failure to organise the elections scheduled for December 2021, stating that it “sought to corrupt the general atmosphere to cling to power.”
Saleh accused the government of employing “the weapon of militias and excessive force against peaceful demonstrations, shedding the blood of protesters,” affirming that “the use of bullets against demonstrators is a crime punishable by Libyan and international law.”
He described the events in Tripoli over the past two days as “a tragedy and a crime by all standards,” stating: “Whoever contemplates terrorising and intimidating their people has no right to lead them.” He added: “There is no longer any scope for this government to continue; the matter is settled, and it has fallen according to the House of Representatives’ decision to withdraw confidence from it in 2021.”
Saleh clarified that “the Libyan people have spoken, represented by the demonstrations of Tripoli’s residents,” calling on the government to “relinquish power, willingly or unwillingly.” He pointed out that “most of its ministers and deputies are either suspended or resigned,” and that “it must appear before the judiciary to be punished for the crime of using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.”
He added that when the attack on the House of Representatives’ headquarters in Tobruk occurred, the House issued instructions not to engage with demonstrators, respecting the law and the right to expression. He noted that investigations proved the incident was instigated by specific individuals who have since been referred to the office of the Attorney General.
He concluded by stating that the House of Representatives must “assume its national responsibilities and avoid a power vacuum in the western region,” calling for the selection of a head for a national unity government from among the candidates after vetting their files and verifying their integrity, in coordination with the Attorney General. He stressed that any procrastination or delay “constitutes a dereliction of duties and will expose the country to dire consequences.