Ankara: Libya's House of Representatives Speaker Aguila Saleh and High Council of State President Mohamed Takala have reached an agreement to reactivate the joint 6+6 committee, which is responsible for drafting election laws, and convene the committee in Trkiye. This initiative was confirmed during a meeting between Saleh and Takala in the Turkish capital on Thursday, as stated in a joint announcement.
According to Anadolu Agency, the joint statement highlighted several understandings achieved at the meeting, which aim to enhance national consensus, support political and institutional stability in Libya, and ensure ongoing coordination between the two councils regarding national obligations. The 6+6 committee, a collaborative effort between Libya's House of Representatives and the High Council of State, was initially established on June 6, 2023, following discussions in Bouznika, Morocco, to create laws for anticipated elections. However, opposition from some Libyan factions has delayed the enactment of these laws.
Both parties emphasized that Libya's political process must adhere to the constitutional declaration, legal framework, and political agreement governing the councils' operations, while respecting the jurisdiction of each council. They also expressed appreciation for Trkiye's efforts and its willingness to host the 6+6 committee soon, facilitating the completion of its work on election laws and paving the way for the much-anticipated electoral process.
During the meeting in Ankara, the councils underscored the importance of unifying sovereign positions and the executive authority to end institutional division, thereby strengthening state institutions and leading to a unified executive authority in preparation for the elections demanded by the Libyan populace. Takala presented Saleh with a letter concerning the board of the High National Election Commission, which will be submitted to the House of Representatives for appropriate measures in accordance with its procedures and powers.
In a separate development, security sources revealed that Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met with Saleh and Takala in Ankara on Thursday. Discussions focused on developments in Libya and the region, potential steps to enhance cooperation between Libya and Trkiye, efforts to achieve political and military unity, and strategies to maintain stability in Libya. The participants emphasized the pivotal role of both councils in promoting stability and advancing the political process, aligning on the objectives of achieving political unity and unifying institutions.
Libya has long faced discussions about organizing presidential and parliamentary elections, resolving disputes over the executive authority, and achieving comprehensive military and political integration, yet a resolution has remained elusive despite numerous initiatives. The Ankara talks are significant as they mark the first meeting between the heads of the two institutions under Turkish sponsorship, hosted in Trkiye, to address these issues and make tangible progress on stalled tracks.
Libya continues to be split between two rival administrations: the Government of National Unity, led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and based in Tripoli, governing western Libya, and the government of Osama Hammad, appointed by the House of Representatives in early 2022 and based in Benghazi, overseeing the east and most southern cities. The UN mission in Libya remains committed to leading the country toward elections as a potential solution to the ongoing crisis.