Libya’s HoR approves appointment of new head judge

The Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR) Aqila Saleh announced in an HoR session in Benghazi on Thursday the appointment of Abdullah Abu Razizah as new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to replace Mohammed Al-Hafi, a step that could lead to more division – caused by the HoR – in the judiciary system.

The HoR session was suspended later on Thursday without any statement by the HoR on the quorum and whether or not it meets the necessary conditions to make such important decisions for the country’s Supreme Court.

The HoR member Mohammed Al-Raeid and other west-based members rejected attending the session that was held in Benghazi on Thursday. He told reporters that the reason for their rejection was the fact that Saleh had been working unilaterally without any commitment to the bylaws of the HoR.

Saleh said at the HoR session that the Presidential Council cannot devise a constitutional basis for elections as it is out of its authorities, adding that the Presidential Council is dealing with the Government of National Unity despite being expired and hasn’t acted upon the confidence vote for a new government by the HoR.

He unveiled an agreement with the High Council of State on eliminating the conditions for presidential candidates except the need for the candidates to be of Libyan parents. Saleh also said the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya, Head of Audit Bureau and Head of Control Authority have lost their legal capacity and aren’t under the HoR’s supervision.

“Sovereign institutions are not under HoR supervision anymore and have lost legal status for violating HoR decisions. They should be under investigation for negligence. Also, the absent HoR members should have their membership terminated as per the bylaws, in addition to those who took state institutions’ jobs or resigned.” Saleh added.