Attaiga launches attack on Libya's GNC

Juma Attaiga, deputy leader of Libya's General National Congress [GNC], has criticised recent performances by Congress, calling for major reforms to address the “harsh critiques” being aimed at the house by the Libyan people. Attaiga meanwhile warned that if internal problems were not resolved immediately, he might be forced to resign his membership. "The people see the GNC as a united bloc,” Attaiga said in a press statement on Tuesday evening. “So every GNC member should be held responsible for any negative performance - whether it is attributed to the President or any other members.” "There are plenty of harsh -- but reasonable -- critiques aimed at the GNC which have made the Libyan people angry,” he added. Attaiga's statement has been met with controversy from a number of GNC parties. National Front member, Mohammed Abdallah has supported Attaiga's call for major reforms within the GNC, but claimed his criticism went too far. Tawfiq al-Sheheibi, a spokesman for the National Forces Coalition, meanwhile said the deputy leader’s remarks had “come too late,” arguing that Attaiga had ignored earlier reformist demands when they had come from minority blocs. GNC President Mohammed Magarief has meanwhile agreed to meet Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi with the aim of establishing a bilateral committee to boost economic and political ties between the two countries. The committee will oversee collaboration in energy, agriculture, investment and industry as well as easing cross-border traffic and visa applications. Magarief arrived in Cairo on Wednesday to chair an official delegation from the GNC, holding talks with President Morsi later that afternoon.