Tripoli: The Libyan government, assigned by the House of Representatives (HoR), has firmly rejected the recent demands by Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed Al-Mnifi. Al-Mnifi had urged Members of Parliament to comply with requirements for approving budget laws, but the government dismissed these demands, citing legal and constitutional issues.
According to Libyan News Agency, the government issued a statement on Monday emphasizing that the Presidential Council’s powers are clearly defined by the Geneva Agreement. These powers include representing the state, appointing ambassadors, and addressing national reconciliation, but do not extend to legislative authority or directing legislative processes. The government stressed that legislative powers are solely vested in the elected legislative authority, as outlined in the Constitutional Declaration and its amendments.
The statement further criticized Al-Mnifi’s actions as a violation of the principle of separation of powers and an attempt at political and financial manipulation. It accused the Presidential Council Chairman of overstepping his authority under the Geneva Agreement and criticized his monopolization of the council, sidelining other members in decision-making.
Additionally, the government accused Al-Mnifi, whose term they claim has ended, of excessive and irresponsible spending through fictitious allocations over the years. The statement also alleged that the outgoing government ignored significant and illegal waste of public funds, causing a crisis at the Central Bank by allowing an outlaw group to seize control and misappropriate funds without accountability for a month.
The statement accused the President of attempting to create a new crisis to hinder the country’s reconstruction and development, which is managed by the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund under Law No. 1 of 2024. Moreover, the government reiterated that the High Council of State serves only as an advisory body to the government and participates in appointing sovereign positions as specified in the Geneva Agreement.