The British Embassy in Libya reiterated its support for the Government of National Accord and said it "does not support parallel governments or institutions"

Libyan Parliament accuses UK of interference in internal affairs

photo_camera AFP/ ABDULLAH DOMA - An image taken on 20 February 2016 shows a general view of a meeting of Libyan Prime Minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj, to present a programme of his new national unity government, before parliament in the city of Tobruk.

The suspension of the Libyan presidential elections has provoked a clash between the Parliament in Tobruk and London. Following the Libyan Electoral Commission's decision to postpone the elections, the British Embassy in the country has issued a statement on the political developments. In the official note, in addition to regretting the suspension of the electoral process, the Embassy reaffirms its recognition of the Government of National Accord (GNA) "as the authority charged with leading Libya to elections". The GNA, despite being an unelected government, has been recognised internationally. It is also backed by Turkey and Qatar.

Furthermore, the British diplomatic delegation in Libya assures that it does not support "the establishment of parallel governments or institutions". However, the embassy stressed that it "does not support anyone" in the current Libyan political scenario.

In response to the British statement, the Libyan parliament in Tobruk called the embassy's statement a "violation of diplomatic norms". "The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Libyan Parliament clarifies that the choice to maintain or dismiss the current government is a decision of the parliament and everyone must respect the laws of the democratic government," the House of Representatives stressed.  

PHOTO/ @CaroHurndall

Several Libyan politicians have criticised British intervention in internal affairs by supporting the GNA and its president Abdul Hamid Dbeibe, a candidate in the cancelled presidential elections. Dbeibe's candidacy has not been without controversy, as the incumbent president had promised not to run in the elections. Moreover, according to a law passed by Aguilah Saleh, the speaker of parliament, candidates were required to leave their posts three months before the elections. Dbeibe, bypassing the parliamentary rule, failed to step down as speaker.

The British embassy's reactions to Libyan politics were described as "blatant and illogical interference" by Abdel Wahab Zuliya, a member of parliament. The politician also accused London on Libyan television of "having interests linked" to certain people, referring to Dbeibe. Meanwhile, Fadil Al-Amin, one of the presidential candidates, wrote on his Twitter account that "it is too early for countries to decide for Libyans whether the GNA is still legitimate or not". "Any country can decide who to recognise or not, but they cannot impose their will on Libyan soil," he added.

Former interior minister and presidential candidate Fathi Bashagha has also echoed the British statements. Bashagha accused the London government of developing anti-corruption measures in his country while in Libya it wants to "protect corruption", pointing directly to Dbeibe's GNA. Meanwhile, Abdel Moneim Al-Arfi, a member of parliament, called the British statement "a purely political manoeuvre". "The UK is not a major player in the Libyan crisis, and is not one of the influential parties," al-Arfi said. 

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Dissatisfaction with the UK has also spread among the Libyan population. Numerous citizens have expressed their anger on social networks over the embassy's statements, and have even called for the expulsion of the ambassador, Caroline Hurndall, for what they consider to be "unacceptable interference in the country's internal affairs". Hurndall, according to the British newspaper The Guardian, faces charges of "breaching diplomatic rules".

The diplomatic crisis comes amid widespread protests in several Libyan cities over the suspension of presidential elections that were due to be held on 24 December. "Libya must hold elections on time. We reject any postponement or manipulation of Libya's will," activist Mohamed Alorfy told a rally in Benghazi, according to Arab News. In addition to domestic protests, the US, UK, France, Germany and Italy have jointly called on the Libyan authorities to set a date for the elections and to publish the final list of presidential candidates. 

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Libyan parliament charts new strategy after election postponement 

As announced by the head of the Elections Follow-up Committee in Parliament, Al-Hadi Al-Saghir, a session is being held in the House this Monday to determine the position of the current government and whether or not it will be replaced, as its mandate expired on Friday 24 December, the day the elections were scheduled to be held. Al-Saghir also condemned British "interference" in Libya's internal affairs.

During the meeting, MPs hope to set an early date for the elections. Also, sources told Al-Ain media, the parliament will not renew confidence in Prime Minister Dbeibe. Instead, he will be replaced by another president until elections are held.

Kamel Al-Marash, a Libyan analyst, also warned the Arab media that the current situation could lead to new clashes. Al-Marash said the US and the UK would be "responsible for this new disastrous scenario" for opposing the will of the Libyan people to organise elections that would "put an end to the current corrupt bodies".  

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Egypt and Russia agree to work together to solve Libya crisis 

El presidente egipcio, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi mantuvo una conversación telefónica el sábado con

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi held a telephone conversation on Saturday with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss the current Libyan situation. "The two sides agreed on the importance of intensifying joint efforts and coordination to resolve the Libyan crisis," a statement from the Egyptian presidency said.

"The Egyptian president assured that his country continues to strive to bring Libyans' views closer to allow Libya to cross this transitional stage and activate the people's free will to choose their leaders and representatives," it added. Cairo, like Moscow, supports Marshal Khalifa Haftar, presidential candidate and leader of the Libyan National Army (LNA).

Al-Sisi and Putin also discussed the armed militias and terrorist organisations that are taking advantage of the instability in Libya to expand their influence in the country and the region

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