Libya moves closer to consensus on constitutional changes
The Joint Committee (6+6) and the Libyan Advisory Committee have agreed on the need to amend Libya's constitutional and legal framework to facilitate inclusive presidential and parliamentary elections.
The agreement follows two days of closed-door consultations held under the auspices of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Both bodies underscored that revising the Constitutional Declaration and overhauling electoral legislation are fundamental to resolving the country's prolonged political stalemate. They also highlighted the urgency of forming a unified government with a clear electoral mandate, alongside local and international guarantees to restore public confidence and legitimacy.
The 6+6 Committee expressed support for the Advisory Committee's recommendations issued on 5 May and pledged to integrate them into the legal review process to ensure a more practical and consensus-driven electoral framework.
This understanding comes as part of UNSMIL's broader engagement with Libyan stakeholders in preparation for a new political roadmap, expected to be unveiled during the mission's upcoming briefing to the UN Security Council.
Berlin Process coordination gains momentum in Tripoli
In a parallel development, the UN Special Representative for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, and the German Ambassador, Ralf Tarraf, co-chaired a high-level meeting of the Berlin Process working group leaders. The gathering followed the June 2025 session of the International Follow-Up Committee on Libya and brought together key international and regional actors.
Representatives from the African Union, Algeria, Egypt, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, the League of Arab States, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, and UNSMIL participated in the meeting.
The discussions reviewed the performance and outputs of the four thematic groups—economic, security, political, and human rights and international humanitarian law. Participants also assessed lessons learned since the launch of the Berlin Process after the 2020 and 2021 conferences, aiming to improve its flexibility and effectiveness amid Libya's evolving context.
Tetteh reiterated the international community's continued support for Libya in tackling political fragmentation, economic challenges, insecurity, and human rights concerns. She commended the Berlin working groups as vital platforms for coordination and dialogue, playing a key role in reinforcing the broader peace and reconciliation process.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libyan Express
13 hours ago
- Libyan Express
Have the Muslim Brotherhood succeeded in Libya?
Young Libyans remove the sign of the Justice and Construction Party (JCP), affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, following rising public opposition to Islamist political factions Over a decade after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan branch of the Muslim Brotherhood finds itself facing unprecedented isolation. Once poised to shape Libya's post-revolutionary future, the group has been steadily marginalised — electorally, politically, and socially. From Exile to Political Entry The roots of the Brotherhood in Libya trace back to the late 1940s, when members fleeing persecution in Egypt sought refuge in eastern Libya. Over the decades, the movement grew cautiously, operating in secrecy during the Gaddafi era and relying on external networks for survival. Following the 2011 uprising, the Brotherhood seized the moment. In March 2012, it launched the Justice and Construction Party (JCP), claiming a formal separation between its religious mission and political work. However, many observers noted that the party remained under the effective influence of the Brotherhood's leadership, mirroring the Egyptian model. Despite losing to the National Forces Alliance (NFA) in the 2012 elections, the JCP gained influence in the General National Congress (GNC) through aligned independents, positioning itself at the centre of Libya's fragile transition. From Power to Backlash The tide turned quickly. In the 2014 parliamentary elections, the JCP secured only around 30 seats out of 200. Rather than accepting the result, elements linked to the Brotherhood supported Operation Libya Dawn, a military campaign that seized control of Tripoli and contributed to Libya's political bifurcation. This marked the beginning of Libya's second civil war. With competing governments emerging in the east and west, and a rise in militia influence, the Brotherhood's role became increasingly contested — and, in the eyes of many, discredited. The movement was seen not as a force for unity, but as one of several groups prioritising influence over national reconciliation. Electoral Decline and Diminishing Influence Subsequent elections underscored a steep decline in public support. In areas once thought to be Islamist strongholds — such as Derna, Abu Salim, and even Misrata — Brotherhood-affiliated candidates struggled to make inroads. The results reflected growing disillusionment with ideologically driven politics and the failure to deliver stability or effective governance. Moreover, the Brotherhood's lack of service delivery infrastructure, in contrast to Islamist movements elsewhere, undermined its grassroots credibility. Unlike in Tunisia or Egypt, Libya's Brotherhood never developed significant charitable or educational wings to embed itself socially. A Crisis of Legitimacy By 2020, internal dissent became more visible. Members in cities like Misrata and Zawiya resigned en masse, citing frustration with the movement's political trajectory and internal rigidity. The regional environment added further pressure. After the fall of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and the changing posture of key international players, the Libyan branch found itself increasingly isolated. With international backers shifting focus and a domestic audience growing wary, the Brotherhood faced a legitimacy crisis. The Rebrand: 'Revival and Renewal' In May 2021, the Brotherhood issued a public statement announcing its transformation into the Revival and Renewal Association, positioning itself as a civil society actor focused on social development and national unity. The rebrand, however, raised more questions than it answered. While distancing itself from the transnational Brotherhood in name, the group retained its original logo and much of its ideological language. The announcement, released on Facebook under the Brotherhood's official page, retained Quranic citations and a discourse consistent with its historic messaging. Analysts have largely viewed the shift as a tactical move rather than a strategic rethink — an attempt to shed a politically burdensome identity without engaging in real structural or ideological change. A Pattern of Tactical Adaptation? The Libyan Brotherhood's rebranding follows a familiar pattern observed across the region. Faced with declining support and rising scrutiny, Islamist groups have often attempted to repackage their image through cosmetic adjustments while maintaining core beliefs and goals. In the case of Libya, the language of 'moderation', 'renewal', and 'civil engagement' echoes a broader Islamist lexicon. Terms such as 'Islamic constants', 'revival', and 'identity' remain embedded in the group's discourse, suggesting continued adherence to a political Islam framework — albeit in more subtle terms. Critics argue that the Brotherhood's repositioning does not reflect a genuine break from its past, but rather a strategic retreat aimed at surviving a hostile political environment. Conclusion More than a decade since the 2011 revolution, the Libyan Muslim Brotherhood has lost much of the influence it once wielded. Its political vehicle, the Justice and Construction Party, is largely sidelined. Its social base has eroded. And its rebranding efforts, while signalling adaptability, have done little to restore public trust. For many Libyans, the Brotherhood symbolises a chapter of missed opportunities, divisive politics, and unfulfilled promises. Whether as a political party or a civil association, its challenge now is not simply to change names — but to prove that it can meaningfully contribute to a pluralistic, democratic Libya. Until then, its legacy remains one of ambition unmet — and success, at best, incomplete.
Libyan Express
2 days ago
- Libyan Express
Libya moves closer to consensus on constitutional changes
6+6 and advisory bodies back legal reforms for elections The Joint Committee (6+6) and the Libyan Advisory Committee have agreed on the need to amend Libya's constitutional and legal framework to facilitate inclusive presidential and parliamentary elections. The agreement follows two days of closed-door consultations held under the auspices of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Both bodies underscored that revising the Constitutional Declaration and overhauling electoral legislation are fundamental to resolving the country's prolonged political stalemate. They also highlighted the urgency of forming a unified government with a clear electoral mandate, alongside local and international guarantees to restore public confidence and legitimacy. The 6+6 Committee expressed support for the Advisory Committee's recommendations issued on 5 May and pledged to integrate them into the legal review process to ensure a more practical and consensus-driven electoral framework. This understanding comes as part of UNSMIL's broader engagement with Libyan stakeholders in preparation for a new political roadmap, expected to be unveiled during the mission's upcoming briefing to the UN Security Council. Berlin Process coordination gains momentum in Tripoli In a parallel development, the UN Special Representative for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, and the German Ambassador, Ralf Tarraf, co-chaired a high-level meeting of the Berlin Process working group leaders. The gathering followed the June 2025 session of the International Follow-Up Committee on Libya and brought together key international and regional actors. Representatives from the African Union, Algeria, Egypt, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, the League of Arab States, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, and UNSMIL participated in the meeting. The discussions reviewed the performance and outputs of the four thematic groups—economic, security, political, and human rights and international humanitarian law. Participants also assessed lessons learned since the launch of the Berlin Process after the 2020 and 2021 conferences, aiming to improve its flexibility and effectiveness amid Libya's evolving context. Tetteh reiterated the international community's continued support for Libya in tackling political fragmentation, economic challenges, insecurity, and human rights concerns. She commended the Berlin working groups as vital platforms for coordination and dialogue, playing a key role in reinforcing the broader peace and reconciliation process.
Libyan Express
2 days ago
- Libyan Express
Dbeibeh pushes regional alliance
Libya, Türkiye, and Italy seek closer cooperation on security and migration Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh took part in a trilateral summit in Istanbul with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, where discussions focused on regional cooperation, security, migration, and Libya's political transition. Dbeibeh presented Libya's ongoing security campaign targeting armed groups operating outside the authority of the state. The operation, underway in Tripoli and other regions, aims to dismantle parallel power structures that have long obstructed sovereign institutions. He stressed that this campaign reflects a long-term political and security strategy to restore the rule of law and protect the functioning of state institutions from intimidation and interference. To enhance coordination, Dbeibeh proposed a four-party ministerial platform that includes Libya, Türkiye, Qatar, and Italy—focusing on joint efforts in security, logistics, and regional development. Migration pressures and humanitarian challenges Migration was a central topic at the summit. Libya remains the main departure point for irregular crossings into Europe. Italian authorities report that over 21,000 migrants have arrived from Libya in 2025 so far—an 80% increase over last year. The sharp rise in crossings has placed pressure on European states while highlighting the burden Libya carries as a transit country. All three countries agreed on the urgent need for coordinated action to tackle human trafficking, secure borders, and address the root causes of irregular migration. Defence ties and strategic alignment The summit underscored deepening cooperation between Türkiye and Italy, both NATO allies and key partners for Libya. Earlier this year, Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar and Italian defence company Leonardo signed a joint agreement, signalling a shift toward greater coordination in military and security industries. These developments are expected to complement Libya's efforts to rebuild and modernise its defence and security capabilities. Commitment to a Libyan-led political path The summit also reaffirmed support for a United Nations-backed political process aimed at ending Libya's division. Ankara and Rome reiterated their endorsement of a Libyan-led solution that preserves the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Despite international efforts, Libya remains split between rival administrations in Tripoli and Benghazi, with elections repeatedly delayed due to legal and political deadlocks. Türkiye continues to play a critical role in Libya's stability. Since signing maritime and security agreements with the Tripoli government in 2019, Ankara has supported efforts to repel threats to the capital and contributed to the formation of the current unity government. Positioning Libya in the Mediterranean The Istanbul summit reinforced Libya's strategic role in Mediterranean affairs—particularly on issues of migration, energy, and regional security. It also reflected the government's ongoing push to reclaim state authority, stabilise national institutions, and build durable partnerships that serve the country's long-term interests.
