Potential Libya's Interim Gov`t Candidates Give Great Pledges

The candidates for prime minister in the new Libyan Interim Authority presented various programs and made various pledges during video-conferences at the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) held in Geneva.

Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives and the candidate for membership of the Presidential Council Aguila Saleh confirmed the full commitment to the Security Council decisions, international meetings, and the outcomes of the Libyan Political Dialogue Committee (LPDF).

During his speech to the LPDF members, Saleh said that the independence of the judiciary is the guarantor of human freedom, pointing out that the first goal is to support the judiciary and security services, as no person may be imprisoned except in accordance with the law.

Salah Al-Nimroush, the Defence Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA) and the candidate for leading the transitional Presidential Council, presented his vision for the transitional phase at the Political Dialogue Forum.

Al-Nimroush pledged to provide a safe and appropriate environment to organize elections on time, in coordination with the UNSMIL and the international community. He also promised to provide the necessary support to the military and civil institutions to achieve this goal.

"We are in contact with the International Criminal Court to punish all those who have committed crimes against the Libyans. By law, the displaced people will return to their homes," Al-Nimroush said.

Mohamed Al-Hafi, the Chief of the Supreme Judicial Council and a potential candidate to head Libya's transitional executive authority, said the law doesn't oblige him to resign from his judicial position before enrolling in the elections.

Al-Hafi explained that the law only prevents him from practicing the judiciary and politics simultaneously. Al-Hafi pledged he will resign if being elected as the new head of the transitional government.

Muhammad al- Barghathi, a candidate for the transitional executive authority in Libya has said that national reconciliation is the basis for the stability of Libya.

Al-Barghathi said that the military and security institutions are national institutions and shouldn't interfere in political affairs.

Al-Barghthi expressed his aspiration for "a new era in which relations with countries will be built on new and fair foundations that take into account common interests."

Ahmed Maiteeq, GNA Deputy Prime Minister, who is also a candidate for the upcoming interim executive authority, said that his new government will endeavor to complete the national reconciliation file with the new Presidency Council in order to facilitate the holding of the country's national elections, scheduled for December 24, 2021.

Maiteeq said: "We will work to combat corruption along with the state security apparatus and other current institutions, noting that file of migrants, displaced persons and minors will be top a priority by the government during the coming period."

Khaled Mohammed Abdullah Ghweil, a candidate for the upcoming interim government, which is scheduled to be formed following the end of LPDF talks in Geneva, said that, when he takes office as the coming prime minister, he will work to contain the whole Libyan People and address the accumulated social rifts during the past years.

Al-Ghweil added that his government will call for a broad social dialogue with the participation of all political and social actors to discuss how to move forward towards the desired future state.

Amal Al-Jarari, a candidate for the premiership in the Libyan new interim authority, said that he had developed a realistic program that would meet the aspirations of the Libyan people during the short period specified for the government.

Al-Jarari explained that her program is mainly based on holding and securing elections. "If the government is unable to hold and secure elections, citizens are able to do so," she noted.

Al-Jarari pointed out that holding the country's national elections, as scheduled, tops her governmental program during the coming months, in addition to paying attention to the health situation in the country by developing a plan to curb the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Jamal Abu Bakr Omran Abughrein, a candidate for Libya's Premiership at the upcoming interim executive authority, pledged that he will endeavor to prevent new violations of the human rights file.

Abughrein said that he ran for the position of Prime Minister, as he has a long expertise in political life.

He added that the Ministry of Culture should have a great role in raising citizens' awareness about the importance of participating in elections and choosing their leaders.

Atef Al-Hassia, a candidate for leading Libya’s interim executive authority, has presented his electoral program before the LPDF members.

Al-Hassiyaa said if he elected as the head of the transitional government in Libya, he would work to achieve national sovereignty, improve national income, and achieving a comprehensive national reconciliation among all Libyans. He explained that his program is “the pillar of restoring the stability of Libya."

Al Hassia pointed out that he would launch a "national campaign" to combat smuggling and human trafficking. "Outlaws and groups will be counted and punished by law," he noted.

Last week, the United Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced the full list of candidates for the Presidency Council and Prime Minister positions in Libya’s upcoming government.

The full LPDF session is being held in Switzerland. It started on February 1st and will last until February 5th to host the voting process for the new temporary unified executive.