High National Council

High National Council. The High National Council is a legislative and advisory body established as part of the Libyan Political Agreement signed in Skhirat, Morocco in 2015. It was designed to function alongside the Presidential Council and the House of Representatives within the Government of National Accord. The council's creation was a central component of the United Nations-led peace process aimed at ending the Second Libyan Civil War and unifying the country's fractured political institutions.

History

The council was formally established in 2016 following the endorsement of the Libyan Political Agreement by the United Nations Security Council. Its formation was a key recommendation of UNSMIL under the leadership of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bernardino León and later Martin Kobler. The agreement sought to bridge the divide between the internationally recognized Tobruk-based House of Representatives and the General National Congress based in Tripoli. The inaugural session was held in Tripoli amidst significant political tensions and security challenges. Its history has been intertwined with the stalled implementation of the Skhirat agreement and subsequent political initiatives like the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum hosted in Geneva.

Structure and composition

The council is composed of 145 members drawn from various political blocs, social components, and geographic regions across Libya. Membership includes representatives from the former General National Congress, local municipalities, tribal leaders, civil society organizations, and political parties. The internal structure includes a presidency bureau headed by a president and two deputies, who are elected from within the membership. Key committees are formed to handle specific legislative domains, mirroring structures found in bodies like the Arab Parliament. The seat of the council is in the capital, Tripoli, though its operations have sometimes been disrupted by the presence of armed groups like the Libyan National Army and conflicts such as the Battle of Tripoli (2019).

Functions and powers

According to the Libyan Political Agreement, the council holds legislative authority and serves as the supreme oversight body for the Presidential Council. Its primary functions include approving national legislation, endorsing the Government of National Accord's general policy, and ratifying international treaties and agreements. It also holds the power to vote on confidence in the Prime Minister and the government's program. The council is mandated to promote national reconciliation and unity, often engaging with entities like the African Union and the League of Arab States. Its decisions are intended to complement the work of the House of Representatives, though overlapping mandates have frequently led to institutional conflict.

Role in the Libyan political process

The council has been a central actor in the protracted Libyan peace process, participating in all major dialogue sessions convened by the United Nations. It played a consultative role in the formation of the Government of National Unity under Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh in 2021. The council has consistently advocated for the full implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement and the constitutional basis for elections, engaging with figures like Stephanie Williams of UNSMIL. Its members have been involved in negotiations regarding the legal framework for presidential and parliamentary elections, often clashing with the House of Representatives over electoral laws and the eligibility of candidates like Khalifa Haftar and Saif al-Islam Gaddafi.

Challenges and criticisms

The council has faced significant challenges, primarily stemming from its contested legitimacy and persistent rivalry with the House of Representatives in Tobruk. Critics, including the Libyan National Army and eastern-based politicians, have often dismissed it as an extension of the Muslim Brotherhood-aligned General National Congress. Its effectiveness has been hampered by internal divisions, boycotts by key members, and the broader context of militia violence in cities like Misrata and Benghazi. The international community, including the European Union and the United States Department of State, has at times expressed frustration over the council's role in political deadlock. The ongoing presence of foreign forces, such as those from Turkey and Russia, has further complicated its operating environment and influence.

Category:National legislatures Category:Politics of Libya Category:2016 establishments in Libya