House of Representatives (Libya)

{{Short description|Unicameral legislature of Libya}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2016}} {{Infobox legislature | background_color = #9C6B36 | name = Libyan House of Representatives | native_name = مجلس النواب | native_name_lang = ar | transcription_name = ''{{transliteration|ar|Majlis al-Nuwaab}}'' | legislature = 1st Legislature | coa_pic = Libyan House of Representatives logo.png | coa_res = | coa_alt = | foundation = {{start date and age|df=y|2014|08|04}} | house_type = Unicameral | leader1_type = Speaker | leader1 = Aguila Saleh Issa | party1 = Independent | election1 = 5 August 2014<ref name="MEO_Issa_Speaker" /> | leader2_type = First Deputy Speaker | leader2 = Fawzi Al‑Nuwairi | party2 = Independent | election2 = 20 December 2017 | leader3_type = Second Deputy Speaker | leader3 = Mesbah Doma | party3 = Independent | election3 = June 2023 | leader4_type = Rapporteur | leader4 = Musaab al-Abed<ref name="HoR_interim_speaker" /> | party4 = Independent | election4 = 5 May 2019 | leader5_type = | leader5 = | party5 = | election5 = | members = 200 | structure1 = Libya House of Representatives 2014.svg | structure1_res = 300px | political_groups1 = '''After 2014 election:''' *{{Color box|#DCDCDC|border=darkgray}} Independent (188) *{{Color box|#FFFFFF|border=darkgray}} Vacant (12) | committees1 = | voting_system1 = Parallel voting: *First-past-the-post voting (40 seats) *Single non-transferable vote (80 seats) *Proportional representation (80 seats) | last_election1 = 25 June 2014 | next_election1 = TBD | session_room = | session_res = | session_alt = | meeting_place = Dar al-Salam Hotel Tobruk, Libya;<ref>{{cite web|title=Libya's parliament allies with renegade general, struggling to assert authority|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/113535.aspx|work=Ahram Online|agency=AFP|date=20 October 2014|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007150739/http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/113535.aspx|archive-date=7 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Rixos al-Nasr Hotel Tripoli, Libya<ref name="HoR_Tripoli_20190502" /> Islamic Dawa Building, Benghazi, Libya<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://parliament.ly/%d9%85%d8%b9%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%8a-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%86%d8%a7%d8%a6%d8%a8-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ab%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%8a-%d8%b1%d9%81%d9%82%d8%a9-%d9%85%d8%b9%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%8a-%d8%b1%d8%a6%d9%8a%d8%b3-%d8%a7%d9%84/|title=معالي النائب الثاني رفقة معالي رئيس الديوان يقومان بجولة تفقدية لمقر مجلس النواب بمبنى الدعوة الإسلامية|date=6 August 2021|trans-title=His Excellency the Second Deputy, accompanied by His Excellency the Chief of Staff, they are conducting an inspection tour of the House of Representatives headquarters in the Islamic Call Building|accessdate=23 June 2023|archive-date=30 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230202732/https://parliament.ly/%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%82%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84/|url-status=live}}</ref> | footnotes = | preceded_by = General National Congress | constitution = 2011 Transitional Constitutional Declaration | website = https://parliament.ly}} {{Politics of Libya|legislature}}

The '''Libyan House of Representatives''' ('''HoR'''; {{langx|ar|مجلس النواب|translit=Majlis al-Nuwaab|translation=Council of Deputies}}) is the unicameral legislature of Libya, established following the 2014 parliamentary election, which recorded an 18% voter turnout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/06/libyans-mourn-rights-activist-amid-turmoil-2014626161436740827.html|title=Libyans mourn rights activist amid turmoil|publisher=Al-Jazeera|date=26 June 2014|access-date=28 August 2014|archive-date=28 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628092251/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/06/libyans-mourn-rights-activist-amid-turmoil-2014626161436740827.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/08/19/jabal-nefusa-towns-boycott-the-house-of-representatives-over-tobruk-meetings/ |title=Jabal Nefusa towns declare boycott of the House of Representatives |work=Libya Herald |date=19 August 2014 |access-date=6 January 2015 |archive-date=21 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821032108/http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/08/19/jabal-nefusa-towns-boycott-the-house-of-representatives-over-tobruk-meetings/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Amid escalating conflict during the Second Libyan Civil War and the August 2014 Islamist takeover of Tripoli, the HoR relocated to the eastern city of Tobruk. Although based in Tobruk, several sessions were held in Tripoli in May 2019 while the capital was under armed assault, including the temporary appointment of an interim speaker.<ref name="HoR_Tripoli_20190502" /><ref name="HoR_interim_speaker" /> From 2014 to 2021, the HoR backed the Tobruk-based government led by Abdullah al-Thani. It later recognized the Government of National Unity (GNU) under Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. In September 2021, the HoR passed a vote of no confidence against the GNU and subsequently appointed a rival administration, the Government of National Stability (GNS).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=21 September 2021 |title=Libya's parliament passes no-confidence vote in unity government |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/21/libya-parliament-withdraws-confidence-from-unity-government |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921143813/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/21/libya-parliament-withdraws-confidence-from-unity-government |archive-date=21 September 2021 |access-date=11 February 2022 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

==History== ===Formation=== The House of Representatives was officially established as Libya’s legislative body on 4 August 2014, following parliamentary elections held on 25 June 2014. It replaced the General National Congress (GNC), which had served as the interim legislature since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s government.<ref name="transfer">{{cite web |last1=Lamloum |first1=Imed |title=Libya power handover agreed as airport battle rages on |url=https://news.yahoo.com/libyas-congress-says-hand-power-parliament-august-4-115948954.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812192601/http://news.yahoo.com/libyas-congress-says-hand-power-parliament-august-4-115948954.html |archive-date=12 August 2014 |access-date=26 July 2014 |publisher=Agence France-Presse (AFP)}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=4 August 2014 |title=Libya's new parliament meets in Tobruk |url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/08/04/libyas-new-parliament-meets-in-tobruk/#axzz39S15dqTQ |url-access=subscription |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806165448/http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/08/04/libyas-new-parliament-meets-in-tobruk/ |archive-date=2014-08-06 |access-date=4 August 2014 |publisher=Libya Herald}}</ref> Voter turnout in the 2014 election was approximately 18%, a significant decline from the 60% turnout recorded during the 2012 election.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 June 2014 |title=Libyans mourn rights activist amid turmoil |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/06/libyans-mourn-rights-activist-amid-turmoil-2014626161436740827.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116162736/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/06/libyans-mourn-rights-activist-amid-turmoil-2014626161436740827.html |archive-date=16 January 2018 |access-date=22 August 2014 |work=Al Jazeera English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=7 July 2012 |title=Braving Areas of Violence, Voters Try to Reshape Libya |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/world/africa/libyans-vote-in-first-election-in-more-than-40-years.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710043951/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/world/africa/libyans-vote-in-first-election-in-more-than-40-years.html |archive-date=10 July 2014 |access-date=22 August 2014 |work=New York Times}}</ref> Due to security concerns, voting did not occur in several areas of the country.<ref name="Jawad">{{cite news |last=Jawad |first=Rana |date=26 June 2014 |title=Libyan elections: Low turnout marks bid to end political crisis |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-28005801 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812093413/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-28005801 |archive-date=12 August 2014 |access-date=22 August 2014 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

At the end of its innagural session on 4 August 2014 held in Tobruk with 158 of 188 members present, Aguila Saleh Issa was elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives and sworn the next day,<ref>{{cite news |date=5 August 2014 |title=Ageela Issa elected as president of House of Representatives |url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/08/05/ageela-issa-elected-as-new-head-of-house-of-reps/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807220345/http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/08/05/ageela-issa-elected-as-new-head-of-house-of-reps/ |archive-date=7 August 2014 |access-date=5 August 2014 |publisher=Libya Herald}}</ref><ref name="MEO_Issa_Speaker">{{cite news |date=5 August 2014 |title=Jurist elected Libya parliament speaker |url=http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=67441 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808065639/http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=67441 |archive-date=8 August 2014 |access-date=6 August 2014 |publisher=Middle East Online}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=5 August 2014 |title=New Parliament Elects East Libya Jurist As Speaker |url=http://en.haberler.com/new-parliament-elects-east-libya-jurist-as-speaker-506548/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304222528/http://en.haberler.com/new-parliament-elects-east-libya-jurist-as-speaker-506548/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=6 August 2014 |publisher=Haberler}}</ref> with Emhemed Shouaib and Hamid Houma elected to the positions of First and Second Deputy Speakers respectively.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 August 2014 |title=Parliament elects deputy presidents |url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/08/05/64533/#axzz39PFjzBKg |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808025025/http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/08/05/64533/#axzz39PFjzBKg |archive-date=8 August 2014 |access-date=6 August 2014 |publisher=Libya Herald}}</ref>

On 6 November 2014, the Tripoli-based Supreme Judicial Council ruled that the June elections were unconstitutional and declared the HoR dissolved. The HoR rejected the ruling, claiming it had been issued under duress and that the court was under the influence of armed militias.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 November 2014 |title=Libyan court rules elected parliament illegal |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/11/libyan-court-suspends-un-backed-parliament-201411691057750925.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211045633/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/11/libyan-court-suspends-un-backed-parliament-201411691057750925.html |archive-date=11 February 2018 |access-date=6 November 2014 |publisher=Al Jazeera English}}</ref>

Subsequently, on 23 August 2014, the General National Congress was reconvened in Tripoli as a rival legislature.<ref name="BBC-2">{{cite news |date=6 October 2015 |title=Libya's parliament extends mandate |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34450840 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006222002/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34450840 |archive-date=6 October 2015 |access-date=6 October 2015 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="Reuters-20151206">{{cite news |date=6 December 2015 |title=Rival Libyan lawmakers sign proposal for peace deal |url=https://news.yahoo.com/libyas-parliament-general-national-congress-sign-declaration-principles-022212299.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209122112/http://news.yahoo.com/libyas-parliament-general-national-congress-sign-declaration-principles-022212299.html |archive-date=9 December 2015 |access-date=7 December 2015 |publisher=Yahoo |agency=Reuters}}</ref> The House of Representatives refused to recognize the reconstituted GNC and, on 6 October 2015, voted by 112 out of 131 members to extend its own mandate beyond the original expiration date of 20 October, citing the inability to conduct new elections amid ongoing instability.<ref name="BBC-2" /> By 2019, the HoR was aligned with the executive authority of the Second Al-Thani Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani and based in the eastern city of Bayda, Jabal al Akhdar.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 2017 |title=Chaos in Libya: A Background Who is Who in Libya |url=http://www.ispionline.it/en/articles/article/sicurezza-mediterraneo-medio-oriente/chaos-libya-background-16290 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826055212/http://www.ispionline.it/en/articles/article/sicurezza-mediterraneo-medio-oriente/chaos-libya-background-16290 |archive-date=26 August 2017 |access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref>

===Shift to Tobruk=== On 4 August 2014, amid escalating violence in the capital during the Second Libyan Civil War, the House of Representatives relocated to the eastern city of Tobruk in the Butnan District following the occupation of Tripoli by armed Islamist groups. Due to a shortage of available housing in Tobruk, the HoR initially chartered the ''Elyros'', a car ferry operated by the Greek shipping company ANEK Lines, to serve as temporary accommodation and meeting space for its members.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephen |first=Chris |date=2014-09-09 |title=Libyan parliament takes refuge in Greek car ferry |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/09/libyan-parliament-refuge-greek-car-ferry |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916072346/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/09/libyan-parliament-refuge-greek-car-ferry |archive-date=16 September 2014 |access-date=2016-05-14 |website=the Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=21 August 2014 |title=Libya: Cruise ship hired as 'floating hotel for MPs' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-28879565 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913164822/http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-28879565 |archive-date=13 September 2014 |access-date=14 September 2014 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldhammer |first1=Zach |date=13 September 2014 |title=On the Greek Ferry Housing Libya's Government |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/09/on-the-greek-ferry-housing-libyas-government/380145/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006121509/http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/09/on-the-greek-ferry-housing-libyas-government/380145/ |archive-date=6 October 2015 |access-date=20 October 2014 |work=The Atlantic}}</ref>

The legislature later moved its operations to the Dar al-Salam Hotel in Tobruk, which became its formal seat.<ref>{{cite web |last=Laessing |first=Ulf |date=2 October 2014 |title=Insight - Libya's runaway parliament seeks refuge in Tobruk bubble |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-libya-security-insight-idUKKCN0HR1GD20141002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118212920/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/10/02/uk-libya-security-insight-idUKKCN0HR1GD20141002 |archive-date=18 January 2015 |access-date=26 December 2015 |publisher=Reuters UK}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=16 October 2014 |title=Libya's government holed up in a 1970s hotel |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29603393 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129034855/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29603393 |archive-date=29 November 2015 |access-date=26 December 2015 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

===Skhirat agreement=== In October 2015, United Nations envoy Bernardino León proposed a power-sharing arrangement between the House of Representatives and the rival General National Congress, with independent Fayez al-Sarraj as a compromise candidate for prime minister. However, both parties rejected the terms of the initial proposal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 October 2015 |title=Libyan officials reject UN-proposed unity deal with rival government |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/19/libya-un-unity-government-power-sharing-rejection |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118161758/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/19/libya-un-unity-government-power-sharing-rejection |archive-date=18 November 2015 |access-date=17 December 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=Benghazi |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Despite this, the negotiations led to a revised agreement, developed by Fayez al-Sarraj and others, which gained the support of the United Nations.<ref>UN Security Council Resolution 2259 of 23 December 2015</ref>

On 17 December 2015, representatives from both the House of Representatives and the reconstituted GNC signed the revised agreement, commonly referred to as the ''"Libyan Political Agreement"'' or the ''"Skhirat Agreement"'', named after the Moroccan city where the talks took place.<ref name="Kingsley-2">{{Cite news |last=Kingsley |first=Patrick |date=17 December 2015 |title=Libyan politicians sign UN peace deal to unify rival governments |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/17/libyan-politicians-sign-un-peace-deal-unify-rival-governments |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217161008/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/17/libyan-politicians-sign-un-peace-deal-unify-rival-governments |archive-date=17 December 2015 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="Zaptia">{{Cite news |last=Zaptia |first=Sami |date=1 January 2016 |title=Ageela Salah now supports UN-brokered Skhirat agreement: Kobler |url=https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/01/01/ageela-salah-now-supports-un-brokered-skhirat-agreement-kobler/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224053305/https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/01/01/ageela-salah-now-supports-un-brokered-skhirat-agreement-kobler/ |archive-date=24 February 2016 |newspaper=Libya Herald}}</ref> The agreement envisioned the creation of a nine-member Presidential Council and a seventeen-member interim Government of National Accord (GNA), with the goal of organizing national elections within two years.<ref name="Kingsley-2" /> Under the terms of the agreement, the House of Representatives would remain as the legislature, and a new consultative body, the High Council of State, would be formed with members nominated by the GNC.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 December 2015 |title=Libyan deal on course, but who is on board? |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2015/12/25/Libyan-deal-on-course-but-who-is-on-board-.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128175153/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2015/12/25/Libyan-deal-on-course-but-who-is-on-board-.html |archive-date=28 January 2016 |access-date=28 December 2015 |newspaper=Al Arabiya}}</ref>

On 31 December 2015, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aguila Saleh Issa, publicly declared his support for the agreement.<ref name="Zaptia" /> As of April 2016, the Libyan National Elections Commission was still reviewing legal recommendations for conducting the next parliamentary elections.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 April 2016 |title=The Audit Committee for reviewing and developing electoral legislations continue to hold meetings |url=http://hnec.ly/en/?p=8003 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418005042/http://hnec.ly/en/?p=8003 |archive-date=18 April 2016 |publisher=Libyan High National Elections Commission}}</ref>

A new round of UN-backed negotiations began in October 2017 in Tunis but ended without an agreement. On 17 December 2017, General Khalifa Haftar declared the "so-called" Skhirat Agreement void, stating it had expired and was no longer a basis for governance.<ref name="alj2112">{{Cite web |date=20 December 2017 |title=Q&A: What's happening in Libya? |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/qa-happening-libya-171220114305008.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220234944/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/qa-happening-libya-171220114305008.html |archive-date=20 December 2017 |access-date=20 December 2017 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> On 20 December, the House of Representatives, meeting in Tobruk, elected Fawzi Al-Nuwairi, a representative from Surman in Zawiya District, as First Deputy Speaker. The election followed the resignation of Emhemed Shouaib from the position the previous week. Al-Nuwairi received 59 votes, defeating Mohamed Al-Waar, a representative from Bani Walid in Misrata District, who received 44 votes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 December 2017 |title=Tobruk parliament elects new First Deputy Speaker |url=https://libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/tobruk-parliament-elects-new-first-deputy-speaker |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=The Libya Observer}}</ref>

===2019 Tripoli meetings=== In early April 2019, during the Western Libya campaign amid the Second Libyan Civil War, members of the House of Representatives publicly split in their positions on the military offensive against Tripoli. A group of 31 representatives issued a statement supporting the attack, while 49 members expressed opposition to it.<ref name="HoR_split_POV" />

On 2 May 2019, a session of 51 HoR members was held at the Rixos al-Nasr Hotel in Tripoli. The participants emphasized that the session was not intended to divide the HoR or the country and invited other members to attend a follow-up session scheduled for 5 May. The group opposed the use of military force and called for a political resolution to the conflict. They also urged the Presidential Council, in its capacity as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, to appoint a new military chief to replace Khalifa Haftar, who had been named Supreme Commander of the Libyan National Army by the HoR on 2 March 2015.<ref name="HoR_Tripoli_20190502" /><ref name="ThomsReut_Haftar_heads_army" />

On 5 May, a subsequent session in Tripoli saw 47 members of the HoR elect al-Sadiq al-Kehili as Interim Speaker, Musaab al-Abed as rapporteur, and Hammuda Siala as spokesperson, each for a 45-day term.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hammouda Sayala re-elected as Speaker of Parliament in Tripoli for second term {{!}} The Libya Observer |url=https://www.libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/hammouda-sayala-re-elected-speaker-parliament-tripoli-second-term |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117060951/https://www.libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/hammouda-sayala-re-elected-speaker-parliament-tripoli-second-term |archive-date=17 November 2020 |access-date=2020-11-10 |website=www.libyaobserver.ly |language=en}}</ref> The vote to appoint al-Kehili as speaker passed with 27 votes in favor.<ref name="LAddr_TripTrio" /><ref name="HoR_interim_speaker" /> In the 2014 Libyan parliamentary election, al-Kehili was elected with 1,596 votes in Electorate 56, Tajura; Musaab al-Abed (also known as Musab Abulgasim) received 2,566 votes in Electorate 59, Hay al-Andalus; and Hammuda Siala (also spelled Sayala or Siyala) received 6,023 votes in Electorate 58, Tripoli Central.<ref name="LHerald_2014election" />

On 8 May, another HoR session in Tripoli established several internal bodies: an Internal Code Review Committee—tasked with reviewing legislative decisions made since 2014 under Article 16 of the Skhirat Agreement; an International Communication Committee; a Secretarial Office; and a Crisis Committee to monitor the actions of the Presidential Council's emergency committee in response to the 2019 offensive.<ref name="LibObs_HoR_4committees" /> In a televised interview, spokesperson Hammuda Siala stated that resolving the Libyan crisis would require a new political agreement that reaffirmed the HoR as the country’s highest legislative authority.<ref name="LAddr_TripTrio" />

====Disappearances==== {{Update section|date=May 2020}} On 17 July 2019, one of the Benghazi members of the House of Representatives, Seham Sergiwa, well-known for her documentation of rape as a weapon of war during the 2011 Libyan Civil War,<ref name="Teleg_Gaddafi_rapes" /> was detained by the Libyan National Army (LNA).<ref name="CNN_Sergewa_abducted" /> {{As of|2019|07|20}}, her location was unknown.<ref name="CNN_Sergewa_abducted" />

===Government of National Unity=== On 10 March 2021, the House of Representatives convened in the central city of Sirte to formally approve the formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU). The new administration was led by Mohamed al-Menfi as Chairman of the Presidential Council and Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh as Prime Minister.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Libya lawmakers approve interim govt in key step towards elections |url=https://news.yahoo.com/libya-lawmakers-approve-interim-govt-121633479.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310124538/https://news.yahoo.com/libya-lawmakers-approve-interim-govt-121633479.html |archive-date=10 March 2021 |access-date=11 March 2021}}</ref> The formation of the GNU was approved by a vote of 121 members, with the goal of unifying the rival Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli and the Second Al-Thani Cabinet based in Tobruk.

However, on 21 September 2021, the House of Representatives, meeting in Tobruk, passed a vote of no confidence against the GNU. The motion was supported by 83 of the 113 members present, effectively signaling a withdrawal of legislative support for Dbeibeh’s administration and acknowledging a shift in backing toward the rival Government of National Stability (GNS).<ref name=":0" />

=== Government of National Stability === {{main|Government of National Stability}} On 10 February 2022, the House of Representatives designated Fathi Bashagha as prime minister-designate, following the withdrawal of the only other declared candidate, Khalid Al-Baybas, as announced by Speaker Aguila Saleh Issa. The session was briefly suspended before the Speaker called for a show of hands, subsequently declaring Bashagha appointed by acclamation.<ref name="Reuters-2022">{{Cite news |date=10 February 2022 |title=Libya rifts deepen as new PM named, incumbent refuses to yield |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/libyan-parliament-moves-towards-vote-new-prime-minister-2022-02-10/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210115954/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/libyan-parliament-moves-towards-vote-new-prime-minister-2022-02-10/ |archive-date=10 February 2022 |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=Reuters}}</ref> However, Al-Baybas later denied having withdrawn from the race.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Assad |first=Abdulkader |date=13 February 2022 |title=Al-Baybas denies withdrawing from PM candidacy contrary to HoR Speaker's remarks |url=https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/al-baybas-denies-withdrawing-pm-candidacy-contrary-hor-speaker%E2%80%99s-remarks |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213170147/https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/al-baybas-denies-withdrawing-pm-candidacy-contrary-hor-speaker%E2%80%99s-remarks |archive-date=13 February 2022 |access-date=13 February 2022 |work=Libya Observer}}</ref>

The appointment was rejected by the incumbent Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, who stated he would only relinquish power following national elections.<ref name="Reuters-2022" /> The move was supported by Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army,<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 February 2022 |title=Libya: Tobruk parliament names new PM, fuelling division |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/10/libya-tobruk-parliament-names-new-pm-fueling-divisions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210162231/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/10/libya-tobruk-parliament-names-new-pm-fueling-divisions |archive-date=10 February 2022 |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=Al Jazeera}}</ref> while political and military leaders in Misrata opposed the decision and reiterated their support for the GNU.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alharathy |first=Safa |date=12 February 2022 |title=Misrata rejects Parliament decision to form 'parallel government' |url=https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/misrata-rejects-parliament-decision-form-parallel-government |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212100208/https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/misrata-rejects-parliament-decision-form-parallel-government |archive-date=12 February 2022 |access-date=12 February 2022 |work=Libya Observer}}</ref> International reactions were mixed as Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed support for the "new government",[5] whereas the United Nations affirmed its continued recognition of Dbeibeh’s leadership.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Yee |first1=Vivian |last2=Abdusamee |first2=Mohammed |date=2022-02-10 |title=Libya Slides Deeper Into Chaos as Parliament Picks New Government |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/10/world/middleeast/libya-tripoli-parliament-election.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309140142/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/10/world/middleeast/libya-tripoli-parliament-election.html |archive-date=9 March 2022 |access-date=2022-02-12 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On 1 March 2022, the House of Representatives held a vote of confidence in support of Bashagha’s cabinet, formally establishing the Government of National Stability (GNS). According to Speaker Saleh, 92 out of 101 attending members voted in favor.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Assad |first=Abdulkader |date=1 March 2022 |title=Libya's Parliament gives confidence to Bashagha's government |url=https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/libya%E2%80%99s-parliament-gives-confidence-bashaghas-government |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301180120/https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/libya%E2%80%99s-parliament-gives-confidence-bashaghas-government |archive-date=1 March 2022 |access-date=1 March 2022 |work=Libya Observer}}</ref> However, the legitimacy of the vote was contested, with reports that 10 votes were submitted via voice messages from absent members.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 March 2022 |title=Libya parliament backs new government as crisis deepens |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/libya-parliament-backs-new-government-crisis-escalates-2022-03-01/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301163517/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/libya-parliament-backs-new-government-crisis-escalates-2022-03-01/ |archive-date=1 March 2022 |access-date=1 March 2022 |work=Reuters}}</ref> The High Council of State condemned what it described as "unilateral action" by the HoR, stating that the decision violated the Libyan Political Agreement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alharathy |first=Safa |date=1 March 2022 |title=HCS: Granting confidence to a new government violates Political Agreement |url=https://www.libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/hcs-granting-confidence-new-government-violates-political-agreement |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302000359/https://www.libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/hcs-granting-confidence-new-government-violates-political-agreement |archive-date=2 March 2022 |access-date=2 March 2022 |work=Libya Observer}}</ref> The United Nations also expressed concern over procedural irregularities, including a lack of transparency and allegations of intimidation surrounding the vote.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=UN voices concern over vote on new Libyan prime minister |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/3/un-voices-concern-over-vote-on-new-libyan-prime-minister |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303084632/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/3/un-voices-concern-over-vote-on-new-libyan-prime-minister |archive-date=3 March 2022 |access-date=3 March 2022 |work=Al Jazeera}}</ref>

On 8 February 2023, the House of Representatives, meeting in Benghazi, elected Abdul Hadi Al-Saghair as Second Deputy Speaker, succeeding Hamid Houma, who had been designated by the House as Minister of Defence of the Government of National Stability and subsequently resigned from his deputy speaker role. Al-Saghair was elected with 67 votes in favor, 40 against, and 3 invalid ballots.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 February 2023 |title=Benghazi: Saghair elected Second Deputy Speaker of HoR |url=https://libyaupdate.com/benghazi-saghair-elected-second-deputy-speaker-of-hor/ |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=The Libya Update}}</ref> Al-Saghair resigned from his position as Deputy Speaker on 30 May, citing “the difficulty of tackling the aspirations and hopes of the nation and its national entitlements in light of the available work tools and mechanisms.”<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 May 2023 |title=Second Deputy Speaker of Libyan HoR resigns |url=https://libyaobserver.ly/news/second-deputy-speaker-libyan-hor-resigns |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=The Libyan Observer}}</ref> The House later elected Mesbah Doma as his successor. On 16 May, the HoR had appointed Osama Hammad, the GNS Finance Minister, as acting Prime Minister of Libya.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Libya parliament suspends rival eastern-based PM Bashagha |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/16/libya-parliament-suspends-rival-eastern-based-pm-bashagha |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901172244/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/16/libya-parliament-suspends-rival-eastern-based-pm-bashagha |archive-date=1 September 2023 |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref>

On 19 May 2025, the House of Representatives convened a formal session in eastern Libya to initiate discussions on forming a new unified government, with the stated aim of preparing for long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections. According to parliamentary spokesperson Abdullah Blehig, nominations for the post of prime minister would be accepted over a two-day period, after which candidates would present their policy programs and work plans for evaluation by lawmakers. A session to select a new prime minister was planned, with the appointee tasked with forming a government to be submitted for a vote of confidence. During the session, Speaker Aguila Saleh Issa called on the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity to step down, accusing it of using excessive force against demonstrators in the capital, and asserting that "the time has ended for this isolated government."<ref>{{cite web |date=20 May 2025 |title=Libya's eastern-based parliament discuss formation of new unified gov't |url=https://english.news.cn/20250520/86ba799931b34fcd8ad04218d5c63c20/c.html |accessdate=1 June 2025 |work=Xinhua News Agency}}</ref>

A coalition of lawmakers is putting pressure on the House of Representatives in November 2025 to remove President Aguila Saleh from his position as president.<ref>{{cite web |date=25 October 2025 |title=Libyan MPs push to replace Speaker Aguila Saleh |url=https://www.libyanexpress.com/libyan-mps-push-to-replace-speaker-aguila-saleh/ |accessdate=9 November 2025 |work=Libyan Express }}</ref>

==See also== * {{anl|2014 Libyan parliamentary election}} * {{anl|High Council of State (Libya)}} * {{anl|Libyan Civil War (2014–2020)}} * {{anl|Libyan Crisis (2011–present)}}

==References== <references> <ref name="HoR_split_POV">{{cite news | last1= Assad | first1= Abdulkader | title= Parliament members who oppose Haftar's war on Tripoli to hold session Thursday | date= 2019-04-29 | publisher= The Libya Observer | url= https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/parliament-members-who-oppose-haftars-war-tripoli-hold-session-thursday | access-date= 2019-05-01 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190430232342/https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/parliament-members-who-oppose-haftars-war-tripoli-hold-session-thursday | archive-date= 30 April 2019 | url-status= live }}</ref>

<ref name="ThomsReut_Haftar_heads_army">{{cite news | last1= al-Warfalli | first1= Ayman | title= Libya's Haftar appointed army chief for recognized government | date= 2015-03-02 | publisher= Thomson Reuters | url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-army/libyas-haftar-appointed-army-chief-for-recognized-government-idUSKBN0LY1AB20150302 | access-date= 2019-05-03 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190406190201/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-army/libyas-haftar-appointed-army-chief-for-recognized-government-idUSKBN0LY1AB20150302 | archive-date= 6 April 2019 | url-status= live }}</ref>

<ref name="HoR_Tripoli_20190502">{{cite news | last1= Zaptia | first1= Sami | title= Anti Tripoli war HoR members hold Tripoli session | date= 2019-05-02 | publisher= Libya Herald | url= https://www.libyaherald.com/2019/05/02/anti-tripoli-war-hor-members-hold-tripoli-session/ |access-date= 2019-05-03 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190502233706/https://www.libyaherald.com/2019/05/02/anti-tripoli-war-hor-members-hold-tripoli-session/ |archive-date= 2019-05-02 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="HoR_interim_speaker">{{cite news | last1= Assad | first1= Abdulkader | title= Libya's House of Representatives elects Interim Speaker in Tripoli | date= 2019-05-05 | publisher= The Libya Observer | url= https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/libyas-house-representatives-elects-interim-speaker-tripoli | access-date= 2019-05-05 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190505202813/https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/libyas-house-representatives-elects-interim-speaker-tripoli | archive-date= 5 May 2019 | url-status= live }}</ref>

<ref name="LibObs_HoR_4committees">{{cite news | last1= Assad | first1= Abdulkader | title= Libya's HoR continues holding sessions in Tripoli | date= 2019-05-08 | publisher= The Libya Observer | url= https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/libyas-hor-continues-holding-sessions-tripoli |access-date= 2019-05-08 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190508205123/https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/libyas-hor-continues-holding-sessions-tripoli |archive-date= 2019-05-08 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="LAddr_TripTrio">{{cite news | title= Tripoli trio in control of parallel parliament | date= 2019-05-08 | publisher= The Libyan Address Journal | url= https://www.addresslibya.com/en/archives/45644 |access-date= 2019-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508211205/https://www.addresslibya.com/en/archives/45644 |archive-date= 2019-05-08 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="LHerald_2014election">{{cite web | last1 = Paton | first1 = Callum | last2= Seraj | first2= Essul | title = Elections 2014: Final results for House of Representative elections announced | publisher = Libya Herald | date = 2014-07-22 | url = https://www.libyaherald.com/2014/07/21/elections-2014-final-results-for-house-of-representative-elections-announced/ | url-access = subscription | access-date = 2019-05-09 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140723135608/https://www.libyaherald.com/2014/07/21/elections-2014-final-results-for-house-of-representative-elections-announced/ |archive-date= 2014-07-23 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Teleg_Gaddafi_rapes">{{cite news | last1= Squires | first1= Nick | title= Gaddafi and his sons 'raped female bodyguards' | date= 2011-08-29 |newspaper= The Daily Telegraph | url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8729685/Gaddafi-and-his-sons-raped-female-bodyguards.html |access-date= 2019-07-22 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170321082036/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8729685/Gaddafi-and-his-sons-raped-female-bodyguards.html |archive-date= 2017-03-21 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="CNN_Sergewa_abducted">{{cite news | last1= Lister | first1= Tim | last2= Bashir | first2= Nada | title= She's one of the most prominent female politicians in her country. A few days ago she was abducted from her house | date= 2019-07-20 |newspaper= CNN | url= https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/20/africa/libya-sergewa-intl/index.html |access-date= 2019-07-22 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190722165132/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/20/africa/libya-sergewa-intl/index.html |archive-date= 2019-07-22 |url-status=live}}</ref> </references>

==External links== *[http://parliament.ly Official website] *[https://www.facebook.com/parliamentlibya/ Official Facebook page]

Category:Government of Libya Category:Politics of Libya Category:Political organizations based in Libya Libya Libya Category:2014 establishments in Libya Category:Libyan Crisis (2011–present) Category:Tobruk