Karmus slams UN envoy over Libya constitution claims

Adel Karmus, a member of the High Council of State and former member of the General National Congress, has criticised statements made by UN Special Envoy Hana Tetteh concerning the constitutional divide between eastern and western Libya.

Speaking to media outlets, Karmus contended that Tetteh’s assertions lack factual basis. “If her argument were valid, the House of Representatives would not have issued the referendum law that was approved by the State Council,” he remarked.

Karmus asserted that the UN mission’s rejection of proposals put forward by the 6+6 Committee, citing insufficient consensus, serves as evidence of its obstruction of Libyan reconciliation efforts. He pointed out that the House of Representatives had submitted the referendum law to the Commission in 2019, but it “was unfortunately obstructed.”

On the matter of elections, Karmus warned that conducting polls while two competing governments remain in power would not lead to a successful transition. He predicted that election results would face rejection by the losing party, regardless of whether it is based in the eastern or western region.

In his concluding comments, Karmus stressed that the absence of a unified authority capable of securing polling stations jeopardises the integrity and transparency of any electoral process. He maintained that “there is an urgent need for a single government that imposes its control over the entire national territory” before meaningful elections can take place.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​