When asked about the consequences of a vote of no-confidence by the Libyan parliament in the government of national accord, an EU spokesperson called on all sides to engage constructively in the implementation of the Libyan political agreement of December 2015.
“We call on the Presidential Council and the House of Representatives, supported by other legitimate Libyan institutions, including the Libyan Political Dialogue, to work together constructively to ensure full implementation of the Libyan political agreement”, the spokesperson told EUROPE. He said the EU was closely monitoring the political situation in Libya and “the exact circumstances of a vote of no confidence in the government of national accord by the House of Representatives and the political implications of such a vote”.
The spokesperson declined to speak about any possible European measures against those who obstruct the political process. Sanctions have been in place since 1 April against the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aguila Saleh, as a result of obstacles raised against application of the Libyan political agreement and the formation of the government (see EUROPE 11523).
On Monday 22 August, the Libyan House of Representatives refused to endorse the government of national accord (GNA) that was formed under the aegis of the United Nations and with the support of the international community, including the EU. Of the 101 members of parliament in attendance (out of a total of 198), 61 members and the speaker, Aguila Saleh, voted against the motion of confidence, 39 abstained and one single member of parliament voted for the government.
In January, the House refused to approve the composition of the government of national accord, deeming it to be too unwieldy. It then several times postponed the vote. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)