Libya’s High State Council Rejects Budget Approved by Eastern-based Parliament
The political turmoil in Libya continues as the Tripoli-based High State Council rejects a budget approved by the eastern-based parliament. The council, led by Mohammed Takala, expressed concerns about the budget, warning of further division and the wastage of public funds.
The rejection of the budget was conveyed in a letter from Mohammed Takala to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aguila Saleh, based in Benghazi. The council’s media office released the letter to journalists, highlighting their disapproval of the budget.
The House of Representatives approved the budget in two separate sessions. The first session, held at the end of April, allocated 90 billion Libyan dinars ($18.5 billion). A second session followed, approving an additional budget of 88 billion Libyan dinars. The budget is intended for the government in Benghazi, led by Osama Hamad, who assumed power in March 2023 and is aligned with military commander Khalifa Haftar, controlling the eastern and southern regions of Libya.
The High State Council criticized the House of Representatives for what they described as “transgressions” and unilateral decision-making in public affairs. They cautioned that such actions would only deepen the existing divisions within the country. The council emphasized that the proposed budget of approximately 179 billion Libyan dinars is an unprecedented amount of money, raising concerns about its allocation and utilization.
Libya has been plagued by conflict and instability since the 2011 uprising that led to the overthrow of Muammar Qaddafi. The country further fragmented in 2014, with opposing factions in the east and west vying for power. In Tripoli, the Government of National Unity, led by interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, operates under a UN-backed process established in 2021.
The House of Representatives was elected in 2014, while the High State Council was formed as part of a 2015 political agreement, drawing members from a parliament elected in 2012. The differing political entities and allegiances within Libya have complicated efforts to achieve stability and unity.
As Libya grapples with political discord and economic challenges, the rejection of the budget by the High State Council underscores the deep-seated divisions within the country. The concerns raised about the allocation of public funds and the potential for further fragmentation highlight the urgent need for dialogue and cooperation among Libya’s various factions.
The rejection of the budget approved by the eastern-based parliament is a stark reminder of the ongoing power struggles and competing interests that continue to hinder Libya’s path towards peace and prosperity. It remains to be seen how this latest development will impact efforts to reconcile differences and forge a unified vision for the future of Libya.