General National Congress

{{Short description|Legislative authority of Libya (2012–2016)}} {{About|the former Libyan national legislature|other National Congresses (legislatures)|National Congress (disambiguation)}} {{Infobox legislature |name = General National Congress |native_name = المؤتمر الوطني العام |native_name_lang = ar |transcription_name = |legislature = |coa_pic = Seal of the General National Congress of Libya.png |coa_res = |coa_alt = |foundation = {{start date|2012|08|08|df=yes}}<ref name="Gnan-8-Aug-Meet" /><ref name="Ben-Sassi-8-Aug-Tarab-Post" /> {{end date|2014|08|25|df=yes}} |disbanded = {{end date|2014|08|04|df=yes}} {{end date|2016|04|05|df=yes}} |house_type = Unicameral |body = |houses = |leader1_type = President |leader1 = Mohammed Magariaf {{small|(2012–13)}} Nouri Abusahmain<ref name="lh">[http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/06/25/nuri-ali-abu-sahmain-elected-congress-president/ Nuri Ali Abu Sahmain elected Congress President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002081510/http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/06/25/nuri-ali-abu-sahmain-elected-congress-president/ |date=2014-10-02 }}, ''Libya Herald'', 25 June 2013.</ref> {{small|(2013–16)}} |party1 = |election1 = |leader2_type = Deputy presidents |leader2 = First Deputy: *Giuma Ahmed Atigha {{small|(2012–13)}} *Ezzidine Mohammed Al-Awami<ref>[http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/11/24/congress-fills-first-deputy-president-slot-after-five-months/ Congress fills First Deputy President slot after five months ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827031630/http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/11/24/congress-fills-first-deputy-president-slot-after-five-months/ |date=2017-08-27 }}, ''Libya Herald'', 24 November 2013.</ref> {{small|(2013–2014)}} *Saleh Makhzoum {{small|(2014–16)}} Second Deputy: *Saleh Essaleh<ref>[http://www.libyaherald.com/?p=12559 National Congress elects two vice presidents], ''Libya Herald'', 10 August 2012.</ref> |party2 = |election2 = |leader3_type = |leader3 = |party3 = |election3 = |members = 200 |house1 = |house2 = |structure1 = General_National_Congress_of_Libya.svg |structure1_res = 300px |structure2 = |structure2_res = |political_groups1 = {{Color box|#FFBA00|border=darkgray}} National Forces Alliance (39) {{Color box|#007FFF|border=darkgray}} Justice and Construction (17) {{Color box|#D1E231|border=darkgray}} National Front (3) {{Color box|#1E4D2B|border=darkgray}} Union for the Homeland (2) {{Color box|#00A4DF|border=darkgray}} National Centrist (2) {{Color box|#800080|border=darkgray}} Wadi Al-Hayah (2) {{Color box|#CEDFF2|border=darkgray}} Other parties/blocs (15) {{Color box|#BFBFBF|border=darkgray}} Independents (120)<ref>[http://www.libyaherald.com/?p=11212 National Forces Alliance sweeps party lists as election results finally announced], ''Libya Herald'', 17 July 2012.</ref> |political_groups2 = |committees1 = |committees2 = |joint_committees = |voting_system1 = Parallel voting; 80 seats through party-list proportional representation and 120 seats through multiple-member districts |voting_system2 = |last_election1 = 7 July 2012 |last_election2 = |session_room = |session_res = |session_alt = |meeting_place = Al Nasr Convention Centre Tripoli, Libya |website = |footnotes = |preceded_by=National Transitional Council|succeeded_by=House of Representatives High Council of State}} {{Politics of Libya}}

The '''General National Congress''' or '''General National Council'''<ref name="IPU_GNCouncil" /> ('''GNC'''; {{langx|ar|المؤتمر الوطني العام}}) was the legislative authority of Libya for two years following the end of the First Libyan Civil War. It was elected by popular vote on 7 July 2012, and took power from the National Transitional Council on 8 August.<ref name="Gnan-8-Aug-Meet">{{Cite news|author=Michel Cousins|title=National Congress to meet on 8 August: NTC|newspaper=Libya Herald|date=24 July 2012|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/?p=11495|access-date=26 July 2012 }}</ref><ref name="Ben-Sassi-8-Aug-Tarab-Post">{{Cite news|title=NTC to Transfer Power to Newly-Elected Libyan Assembly August 8 |newspaper=Tripoli Post |date=2 August 2012 |url=http://www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=8936 |access-date=4 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807043644/http://www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=8936 |archive-date=7 August 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/world/middle-east/2012/08/08/libya-transitional-rulers-hand-over-power/uMPkXd9vTSSHg589mU9ykJ/story.html|title=Libya's transitional rulers hand over power|author=Esam Mohamed|agency=Associated Press|date=8 August 2012|publisher=Boston.com|access-date=8 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208121751/http://www.boston.com/news/world/middle-east/2012/08/08/libya-transitional-rulers-hand-over-power/uMPkXd9vTSSHg589mU9ykJ/story.html|archive-date=8 December 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Tasked primarily with transitioning Libya to a permanent democratic constitution, it was given an 18-month deadline to fulfill this goal. When the deadline passed with work on the new constitution only just having gotten underway, Congress was forced to organise elections to a new House of Representatives, which took power and replaced it on 4 August 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Congress ends in silence|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/08/04/congress-ends-in-silence/|newspaper=Libya Herald|date=4 August 2014 |access-date=4 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808044248/http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/08/04/congress-ends-in-silence/|archive-date=8 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://thecairopost.com/news/119510/news/libya-power-handover-agreed-as-airport-battle-rages-on|title=Libya power handover agreed as airport battle rages on|agency=AFP|date=24 July 2014|access-date=23 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724014712/http://thecairopost.com/news/119510/news/libya-power-handover-agreed-as-airport-battle-rages-on|archive-date=24 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=lh30march>{{cite news|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/03/30/congress-votes-to-replace-itself-with-new-house-of-representatives/|title=Congress votes to replace itself with new House of Representatives|newspaper=Libya Herald|date=30 March 2014|access-date=1 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930132042/https://www.libyaherald.com/2014/03/30/congress-votes-to-replace-itself-with-new-house-of-representatives/|archive-date=30 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

A non-reelected minority of former GNC members, supported by the LROR and Central Shield armed groups, met on 25 August 2014 and declared a National Salvation Government. They elected Omar al-Hasi as prime minister.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/former-libyan-parliament-reconvenes-elects-islamist-premier|title=Former Libyan parliament reconvenes, elects Islamist premier|agency=Al Akhbar English|date=25 August 2014|access-date=25 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826121713/http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/former-libyan-parliament-reconvenes-elects-islamist-premier|archive-date=26 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> From August 2014, GNC is no longer internationally recognized as the legitimate parliament of Libya.

On 5 April 2016, the GNC announced its own dissolution and has been replaced by the High Council of State.

==History== ===Inauguration=== In a ceremony on 8 August 2012, the National Transitional Council formally transferred power to the General National Congress. Mustafa Abdul Jalil stepped down as head of state, passing the position to the GNC's oldest member, Mohammed Ali Salim.<ref name=BBC88 /> The NTC was then dissolved, while the GNC members took their oaths of office, led by Salim.<ref name=R88 />

Hundreds of people gathered in Tripoli's Martyrs' Square with candles symbolizing reconciliation.<ref name=BBC88 /> The date of the transfer – 20 Ramadan on the Islamic calendar – had also been selected for symbolic reasons; as 20 Ramadan the previous year had fallen on 20 August, the date that the National Liberation Army attacked Tripoli, leading to Gaddafi's flight.<ref name=R88>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/libya-handover-idUSL6E8J8DD320120808|title=Libya's ruling council hands over power to new assembly|author=Marie-Louise Gumuchian and Ali Shuaib|date=8 August 2012|work=Reuters|access-date=8 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508182836/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/08/libya-handover-idUSL6E8J8DD320120808|archive-date=8 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> As Jalil addressed the crowd, attendees periodically chanted "Allāhu Akbar" or "The blood of the martyrs will not be wasted!"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/08/world/meast/libya-power-transition/|title=Libya's transitional council hands over power|date=8 August 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=8 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810074335/http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/08/world/meast/libya-power-transition/|archive-date=10 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to BBC News, the transfer was "the first peaceful transition of power in Libya's modern history".<ref name=BBC88>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19183300|title=Libya's NTC hands power to newly elected assembly|date=8 August 2012|work=BBC News|access-date=8 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808192952/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19183300|archive-date=8 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Post-2014 elections=== In 2014, elections to a new House of Representatives were held. However, politicians from the blocs that lost the elections continued to convene as the General National Congress, claiming that the GNC was the legitimate parliament of Libya. However, its members did not represent a majority of the membership of the body,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/08/25/abu-sahmain-ghariani-condemned-by-thinni-and/|title=Abu Sahmain, Ghariani condemned by Thinni and parliament leader Saleh|agency=Libya Herald|date=25 August 2014|access-date=26 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523174156/https://www.libyaherald.com/2014/08/25/abu-sahmain-ghariani-condemned-by-thinni-and/|archive-date=23 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> as the majority of the GNC members belonged to groups now participating in the internationally recognized (until the establishment of an internationally-backed Government of National Accord in 2016) Libyan parliament, the House of Representatives. The GNC is dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood's Libyan party, the Justice and Construction Party.

Re-elected members from the Islamist bloc had chosen to continue to sit in the GNC, instead of the House of Representatives where they would be in a reduced minority.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2012/07/18/party-results/|title=National Congress party results|agency=Libya Herald|date=18 July 2014|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523174203/https://www.libyaherald.com/2012/07/18/party-results/|archive-date=23 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/169449/-libya-publishes-parliamentary-election-results.html|title=Libya publishes parliamentary election results|agency=Xinhua|date=22 July 2014|access-date=13 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054849/http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/169449/-libya-publishes-parliamentary-election-results.html|archive-date=8 August 2014}}</ref>

After their landslide defeat in the 2014 elections, Islamist parties acting under the leadership of Nouri Abusahmain used two armed groups, the LROR and Central Shield, to take control of the capital Tripoli. In late August, Islamist militias abducted rivals (whose whereabouts are unknown) and attacked 280 homes. Having suppressed dissent, the Islamist groups declared that they were the General National Congress and that it was once again the national parliament.

The GNC continued to be led by Nouri Abusahmain and appointed Omar al-Hasi then Khalifa al-Ghawi as prime ministers of the National Salvation Government.<ref name="ft">{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/806d5e6e-d7e6-11e4-80de-00144feab7de.html#axzz3W0uHHx2J|agency=Financial Times|title=Tripoli authority sacks prime minister|date=31 March 2015|access-date=31 March 2015|first=Borzou|last=Daragahi}}</ref>

===Dissolution=== Members of the House of Representatives and the General National Congress signed a United Nations supported political agreement on 17 December 2015.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/17/libyan-politicians-sign-un-peace-deal-unify-rival-governments|title=Libyan politicians sign UN peace deal to unify rival governments|first=Patrick|last=Kingsley|website=TheGuardian.com|date=17 December 2015|access-date=11 June 2016|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|url-status=live}}</ref> Under the terms of the agreement, a nine-member Presidency Council and a seventeen-member interim Government of National Accord would be formed, with a view to holding new elections within two years.<ref name="theguardian.com"/> The House of Representatives would continue to exist as a legislature and an advisory body, to be known as the State Council, will be formed with members nominated by the New General National Congress.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Abdallah |last=Schleifer |author-link=Abdallah Schleifer |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 |publisher=Al Arabiya |date=25 December 2015 |access-date=2 April 2018 |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 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, arrived in Tripoli on 30 March 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/support-grows-libyas-unity-government-000257765.html|title=Support grows for Libya's new unity government|access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref> The following day, it was reported that the GNA has taken control of the prime ministerial offices and that the GNC appointed Prime Minister Khalifa al-Ghawi had fled to Misrata.<ref>{{cite news |first=Saber |last=Ayyub |title=Rebel Tripoli administration vanishes |url=https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/03/31/rebel-tripoli-administration-vanishes-ghwell-flees-to-misrata/ |newspaper=Libya Herald |date=31 March 2016 |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410013608/https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/03/31/rebel-tripoli-administration-vanishes-ghwell-flees-to-misrata/ |archive-date=10 April 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 April 2016, the head of the media bureau of the National Salvation Government announced that the NSG has resigned and handed its authority back to the General National Congress.<ref name="libyanexpress.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.libyanexpress.com/tripoli-salvation-government-resigns-hands-power-back-to-gnc-2/|title=Tripoli Salvation Government resigns, hands power back to GNC - Libyan Express|date=1 April 2016|access-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418034001/http://www.libyanexpress.com/tripoli-salvation-government-resigns-hands-power-back-to-gnc-2/|archive-date=18 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Media reports have also claimed that the General National Congress had "virtually disintegrated".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/politics/op-ed-libya-herald-report-claims-that-tripoli-government-vanished/article/461688|title=Op-Ed: Libya Herald report claims that Tripoli government 'vanished'|date=1 April 2016|access-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416180411/http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/politics/op-ed-libya-herald-report-claims-that-tripoli-government-vanished/article/461688|archive-date=16 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

On April 5, the National Salvation Government of the General National Congress announced that it was resigning, "ceasing operations" and ceding power to the Presidential Council.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/libyas-tripoli-government-cease-operations-38171891|work=ABC News|title=Libya's Tripoli Government Says Will 'Cease Operations'|access-date=2016-04-05|date=2016-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406215328/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/libyas-tripoli-government-cease-operations-38171891|archive-date=2016-04-06|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://nz.news.yahoo.com/world/a/31277753/tripoli-authorities-cede-power-to-libyan-unity-government-statement/|work=Yahoo! New Zealand|title=Tripoli authorities cede power to Libyan unity government: statement|access-date=2016-04-05|date=2016-04-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415152054/https://nz.news.yahoo.com/world/a/31277753/tripoli-authorities-cede-power-to-libyan-unity-government-statement/|archive-date=2016-04-15}}</ref> Following the dissolution of the GNC, former members of that body declared the establishment of the State Council, as envisaged by the LPA.<ref name="auto1"/>

==Composition== {{Main|Libyan parliamentary election, 2012}} The General National Congress was composed of 200 members of which 80 were elected through a party list system of proportional representation in 20 districts, ranging from 11 seats to 3 seats in each, and 120 were elected as independents in 69 multiple-member districts, ranging in size from nine seats to 1 seat in each, elected through Single non-transferable voting or First-past-the-post voting. The election was complicated by voters in 53 of the constituencies being able to cast one vote for local member and also to cast a party vote for the proportional representation portion, and by the use of quota to ensure seats for women candidates in the proportional representation portion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18721576|title=Libya elections: Do any of the parties have a plan?|date=6 July 2012|work=BBC News|access-date=6 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825165744/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18721576|archive-date=25 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author=Margaret Coker|title=Libya Election Panel Battles Ghosts|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=22 June 2012|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303444204577462401509471274|access-date=3 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925035524/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303444204577462401509471274|archive-date=25 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/news/peace_publications/election_reports/libya-070712-final-rpt.pdf|title=General National Congress Elections in Libya - Final Report|date=7 July 2012|publisher=The Carter Center|website=www.cartercenter.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230031640/https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/news/peace_publications/election_reports/libya-070712-final-rpt.pdf|archive-date=30 December 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

It is estimated that 25 independents were associated with the NFA, 17 with Justice and Construction, and 23 were Salafis.<ref name="swp-berlin">{{cite web |url=http://www.swp-berlin.org/fileadmin/contents/products/research_papers/2013_RP04_lac.pdf |title=Research paper |website=www.swp-berlin.org |access-date=2013-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904052429/https://www.swp-berlin.org/fileadmin/contents/products/research_papers/2013_RP04_lac.pdf |archive-date=2018-09-04 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the 2012 elections, an Integrity Commission was set up to exclude and remove Gaddafi-era officials from politics. The commission removed 15 members of the GNC.<ref>{{cite news|author=Mathieu Galtier|title=Inside the Commission for Integrity and Patriotism|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/04/11/inside-the-commission-for-integrity-and-patriotism/|newspaper=Libya Herald|date=4 November 2012|access-date=3 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416075135/http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/04/11/inside-the-commission-for-integrity-and-patriotism/|archive-date=16 April 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Independent members from Bayda, Baten al-Jabal, Abu Salim, Hay al-Andalus, Sabha, Tarhuna and Ubari were expelled, along with all the independents from Ghat and Bani Walid, two representatives of local lists from Ubari and Wadi al-Shate’, and two NFA deputies from Zliten and Abu Salim. By March 2013 one expelled member from Bayda had been replaced; all other seats remained vacant.<ref name="swp-berlin"/>

The Congress was tasked with electing a new Prime Minister and governing cabinet. Among the rules approved by the GNC on the election of the Prime Minister was a prohibition on Prime Ministers and cabinet ministers being GNC members simultaneously.<ref name="Grant-Zaptia-3-Sept">{{cite news|author1=George Grant|author2=Sami Zaptia|title=National Congress passes raft of new measures regulating selection of PM|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/?p=13659|newspaper=Libya Herald|date=3 September 2012|access-date=6 September 2012}}</ref>

The Congress selected Mustafa Abushagur as Prime Minister on 12 September 2012,<ref name="Abushagur-Elected">{{cite news|author1=Ashraf Abdul Wahab|author2=Michel Cousins|title=Abushagur elected as Prime Minister|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/?p=14214|newspaper=Libya Herald|date=12 September 2012|access-date=15 September 2012}}</ref> he subsequently resigned after failing to get a cabinet approved. On 14 October 2012, the General National Congress elected former GNC member and human rights lawyer Ali Zeidan as prime minister-designate.<ref>{{cite news|author=George Grant|title=Ali Zidan elected prime minister|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2012/10/14/ali-zidan-elected-prime-minister/|newspaper=Libya Herald|date=14 October 2012|access-date=14 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929211229/http://www.libyaherald.com/2012/10/14/ali-zidan-elected-prime-minister/|archive-date=29 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Zeidan was sworn in after his cabinet was approved by the GNC.<ref>{{cite news|title=Libya congress approves new PM's proposed government|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-government-idUSBRE89U18O20121031|work=Reuters|access-date=31 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103022542/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/31/us-libya-government-idUSBRE89U18O20121031|archive-date=3 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Sami Zapita|title=Zeidan government sworn in|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2012/11/14/zeidan-government-sworn-in/|newspaper=Libya Herald|date=14 November 2012|access-date=3 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806023849/http://www.libyaherald.com/2012/11/14/zeidan-government-sworn-in/|archive-date=6 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Seats by party=== {{#section-h:2012 Libyan parliamentary election|Results}}

==Leadership== On 9 August 2012, Congress members voted in a televised meeting for a president for the GNC. Mohamed Yousef el-Magariaf, leader of the National Front Party, won with 113 votes versus independent Ali Zeidan who secured 85 votes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Libyan national assembly votes Magarief president|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-assembly-idUSBRE8781ID20120809|work=Reuters|date=9 August 2012|access-date=10 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813014504/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/09/us-libya-assembly-idUSBRE8781ID20120809|archive-date=13 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1981 until 2011, el-Magariaf was exiled from Libya,<ref name="Umar Khan">{{cite news|author=Umar Khan|title=Mohammed Magarief: From Libya's most hunted man to National Congress speaker|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/?p=12608|newspaper=Libya Herald|date=11 August 2012|access-date=6 September 2012}}</ref> and led the NFP's predecessor organisation—called the National Front for the Salvation of Libya—for almost 20 years.<ref name="Umar Khan"/>

==Location== The permanent location of Libya's legislature has not yet been decided, but it has been proposed that a new parliament building could be built within the former Bab al-Azizia compound.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jul/08/libya-gaddafi-compound-parliament|title=Libyan plan to build parliament on ruins of Gaddafi's compound|author=Luke Harding|date=8 July 2012|work=The Guardian|access-date=8 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809044025/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jul/08/libya-gaddafi-compound-parliament|archive-date=9 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> As an interim measure, the General National Congress convened in the Al Nasr Convention Centre close to the Rixos Al Nasr hotel in Tripoli. Libya's former legislature, the General People's Congress, met at the People's Hall which had been destroyed by fire during the Libyan Civil War.<ref>{{cite news|title=UPDATE 1-Government building on fire in Libyan capital|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFLDE71K0OP20110221|publisher=Reuters Africa|date=21 February 2011|access-date=10 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508014009/http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFLDE71K0OP20110221|archive-date=8 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References== <references> <ref name="IPU_GNCouncil">{{cite web | title = Libya — Majlis Al-Nuwaab (House of Representatives) | publisher = Inter-Parliamentary Union | date = 2017-02-21 | url = http://archive.ipu.org/parline-E/reports/2185.htm | access-date = 2019-05-19 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180128152148/http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2185.htm |archive-date= 2018-01-28 |url-status=live}}</ref> </references>

==External links== *{{Official website|http://gnc.gov.ly}} {{in lang|ar}}

Category:Government of Libya Category:Politics of Libya Category:Political organizations based in Libya Libya Libya Category:2012 establishments in Libya