Libya's new PM confident of a peaceful handover of power
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Fathi Bachagha, the new Libyan Prime Minister, confirmed by the Libyan Parliament, says his government will carry out the transfer of power in the capital, Tripoli, in a peaceful and secure manner.
Bachagha stressed that he had reached agreement with the security and military authorities in the Libyan capital, and that the transfer of power will be smooth and safe.
The national unity government on Tuesday evening rejected the vote of confidence granted by the House of Representatives (Parliament) to the new government, led by Bachagha, accusing the leadership of the Parliament of "perpetuating fraud", while pledging to continue its work.
In an audio-visual statement posted on his Facebook page, Bachagha added that his government is committed to organising elections on the specified dates, in accordance with the roadmap approved by the parliament, and which the State Council will approve in the coming days.
The Libyan parliament adopted an amendment to the Constitutional Declaration on the establishment of a committee with the High State Council to revise the draft constitution as a prelude to holding a referendum and general elections within 14 months.
But the High State Council reneged on this arrangement, voting against the constitutional amendment and the formation of a new government.
Bachagha said that the voting process to grant confidence to his government was conducted in a transparent, public and democratic manner and with the will of the Libyan people, stressing that his government will work to achieve national reconciliation, collective participation, stability and move towards the welfare, prosperity and development of the country.
He stressed that his government will also work on the principle of participation and cooperation with the House of Representatives and the High Council of State, as well as with the Presidential Council, adding: "We look forward to establishing good relations with friendly and brotherly countries on the basis of mutual respect."
The new Prime Minister added: "We have not come to take revenge or settle scores, but we have come to build this country, and we are reaching out to everyone, whether they are opponents or on the other side who oppose us and do not want us, and we will reach out to everyone without exception, preference or discrimination.
Bachagha expressed "his government's desire to cooperate with the United Nations Mission in Libya for Peace.
He pleaded to ensure that Libyan rights be respected, be they constitutional, electoral, national reconciliation and unification of institutions, especially the security, military and other civilian institutions of the state.
The House of Representatives granted its confidence to the new government with 92 votes of the 101 MPs present, during the session held on Tuesday in Tobruk (East).
-0- PANA BY/IS/BBA/VAO 1March2022
