Council of Deputies

Council of Deputies
مجلس النواب
Majlis al-Nuwaab
Type
Type
History
Founded 4 August 2014 (2014-08-04)
Leadership
Aguila Saleh Issa, Independent
Since 5 August 2014
Deputy presidents
Imhemed Shaib
Ahmed Huma
Since 5 August 2014
Seats 200
Elections
Parallel voting; 40 seats through first-past-the-post in single-member constituencies, 80 seats through single non-transferable vote in 29 multi-member constituencies, and 80 seats through proportional representation
Last election
 25 June 2014
Meeting place
Tobruk, Libya[1]
Website
http://www.libyan-parliament.org
Libya
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The Council of Deputies (Arabic: ‎ مجلس النواب, Majlis al-Nuwaab) is the parliament of Libya. Although Majlis al-Nuwaab translates into English as Council of Deputies, it is often referred to as the Libyan House of Representatives in the English-speaking media and by the council itself.[2]

It took power on 4 August 2014, following an election on 25 June 2014, replacing the General National Congress.[3][4] Turnout at the election was 18%,[5] down from 60% in the first post-Gaddafi election of July 2012.[6] Because of security concerns no voting took place in some locations.[7]

The current chairman of the Council of Deputies is Aguila Saleh Issa, who doubles as both the head of state for Libya and the presiding officer of the unicameral Council.[8][9][10] The current deputy presidents of the Council of Deputies are Imhemed Shaib and Ahmed Huma.[11]

Due to the occupation of Tripoli by armed Islamist groups during the Second Libyan Civil War, the Council of Deputies had to flee to Tobruk in the far east of the country. Since there was not enough housing for them, they have hired a car ferry [12] from a Greek shipping company, the Elyros of ANEK Lines, for them to live and meet in.[13][14] Attendance of MPs fell to 115, sapping some credibility of the Council of Deputies.[15]

The Tripoli-based Libyan Supreme Constitutional Court ruled on 6 November 2014 that the June elections were unconstitutional and that the Council of Deputies should be dissolved while it was surrounded by armed militias. The Council of Deputies rejected the ruling, saying it was made "at gunpoint".[16]

The Council of Deputies voted on 6 October 2015 in a vote of 112 out of 131 "to extend its term beyond 20 October". In late 2014 the New General National Congress was proclaimed as a rival parliament in Tripoli.[17][18]

Members of the Council of Deputies and the New General National Congress signed a United Nations supported political agreement on 17 December 2015.[19] Under the terms of the agreement, a nine-member Presidency Council and a seventeen-member interim Government of National Accord would be formed, with a view to holding new elections within two years.[19] The House of Representatives would continue to exist as a legislature and an advisory body, to be known as the State Council, will be formed with members nominated by the New General National Congress. [20] On 31 December 2015, Chairman of the House of Representatives, Aguila Saleh Issa declared his support for the Libyan Political Agreement. [21]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Libya's parliament allies with renegade general, struggling to assert authority". Ahram Online. AFP. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  2. ↑ "Libya holds the third election in post-revolutionary era". http://hnec.ly/?p=6207. Libyan High National Elections Commission. Retrieved 2014-11-26. External link in |website= (help)
  3. ↑ Lamloum, Imed. "Libya power handover agreed as airport battle rages on". Agence France-Presse (AFP). Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "Libya’s new parliament meets in Tobruk". Libya Herald. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  5. ↑ "Libyans mourn rights activist amid turmoil". Al Jazeera English. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Braving Areas of Violence, Voters Try to Reshape Libya". New York Times. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  7. ↑ Jawad, Rana (26 June 2014). "Libyan elections: Low turnout marks bid to end political crisis". BBC News. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "Ageela Issa elected as president of House of Representatives". Libya Herald. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  9. ↑ "Jurist elected Libya parliament speaker". Middle East Online. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  10. ↑ "New Parliament Elects East Libya Jurist As Speaker". Haberler. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  11. ↑ "Parliament elects deputy presidents". Libya Herald. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  12. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/09/libyan-parliament-refuge-greek-car-ferry
  13. ↑ "Libya: Cruise ship hired as 'floating hotel for MPs'". BBC News. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  14. ↑ Goldhammer, Zach (13 September 2014). "On the Greek Ferry Housing Libya's Government". The Atlantic. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  15. ↑ Chris Stephen (9 September 2014). "Libyan parliament takes refuge in Greek car ferry". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  16. ↑ "Libyan court rules elected parliament illegal". Al Jazeera English. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  17. ↑ "Libya's parliament extends mandate". BBC News. 6 October 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  18. ↑ "Rival Libyan lawmakers sign proposal for peace deal". Yahoo. Reuters. 6 December 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  19. 1 2 http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/17/libyan-politicians-sign-un-peace-deal-unify-rival-governments
  20. ↑ http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2015/12/25/Libyan-deal-on-course-but-who-is-on-board-.html
  21. ↑ https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/01/01/ageela-salah-now-supports-un-brokered-skhirat-agreement-kobler/

External links

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