Libya’s National Congress rules out new UN envoy’s plan

The roadmap proposed by UN Sec-Gen Special Representative and Head of UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Ghassan Salame will not succeed in solving the Libyan political crisis, according to a prominent official of the Libyan National Congress. In its first announced stance, official spokesman of the LNC Omar Hmeidan said that sadly Salame’s plan doesn’t take into consideration the deteriorating situation in Libya. He stressed that the parties and current bodies can’t come up with the national project described by Salame.

During his unannounced visit to Morroco, Hmeidan said that the UN is helpless when it comes to the Libyan crisis adding that either the UN claims full responsibility or it may be for the best to withdraw the UNSMIL. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Hmeidan believes that the best way is to announce a referendum on the constitution and electing a new parliament and head of state, adding that this should be issued by an authority recognized by the Security Council.

The LNC spokesperson said the former parliament is still a party to the political process and this should be recognized despite the denial of the presidential council of the Government of National Accord led by Fayez al-Sarraj. The Congress still considers itself a legitimate authority but was denied from performing its duties and jurisdiction controlled by the authorities.

When asked about Abdul Basit Igtet, who is backed by the Muslim Brotherhood, and his proposal to replace Sarraj, Hmeidan stated that Igtet’s suggestion is democratic, and that the Congress is monitoring the situation to see the course of things. Hmeidan believes the crisis in Libya will not end, pointing out that the UN is not fulfilling its duty towards the country.

He said all political initiatives were designed to be in favor of its brokers rather than aimed at serving the whole country. In a related matter, foreign ministers of Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria held a tripartite meeting on the sidelines of the 72nd UN General Assembly.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shokri and his Tunisian and Algerian counterparts respectively Khemaies Jhinaoui and Abdul Qadir Msaheel discussed efforts to back the Libyan national consensus and the UN’s role in sponsoring the political solution in Libya.

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zed announced that the ministers discussed efforts of each country to help Libyans reach national consensus. He added that it had been agreed to maintain channels of communication between the three states.

Abu Zed pointed out that the ministers exchanged their evaluation for the initiatives and efforts exerted by international parties to help solve the Libyan crisis.