Libya’s Tripoli-based High State Council (HSC) has deepened the country’s political rift by rejecting a massive budget passed by the eastern-based House of Representatives (HoR). The move threatens to further stall efforts to unify the war-torn nation.
The HSC, led by Mohamed Takala, denounced the HoR’s approval of a 179 billion Libyan dinar ($18.5 billion) budget in a letter sent to Speaker Aguila Saleh. The budget, passed in two separate sessions, is intended for the Benghazi-based administration of Prime Minister Osama Hamad, who is aligned with powerful military commander Khalifa Haftar.
The HSC argued that the unilateral budget approval by the HoR disregards the 2015 political agreement. This agreement established a power-sharing mechanism between the eastern and western factions in Libya. The Council also expressed concerns about the unprecedented amount of money allocated and potential misuse of funds.
Libya has been fractured since the 2011 uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi. Two rival governments emerged in 2014, with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, led by Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, recognized by the United Nations. The HoR, elected in 2014, supports the eastern administration.
The HSC, formed in 2015, acts as a consultative body with a say in major decisions. It views the HoR’s actions as a violation of the power-sharing agreement and a step towards further division. The Council has urged relevant parties to challenge any laws issued by the HoR that violate the agreement.
This latest development casts a shadow over attempts to unify Libya’s political landscape and hold national elections. The international community has called for a unified budget and inclusive elections as key steps towards lasting peace. The HSC’s rejection of the HoR’s budget creates a major obstacle in this process.
With the two rival factions locked in a budgetary standoff, it remains unclear how Libya will move forward. Whether a compromise can be reached or if the country will face further political and economic turmoil is yet to be seen.
