The High State Council (HSC) in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, has firmly rejected a budget approved by the eastern-based parliament, citing concerns over potential division and misuse of public funds.
The council, led by Mohamed Takala, expressed its disapproval in a letter addressed to House of Representatives speaker Aguila Saleh in Benghazi. The rejection was conveyed through the Council’s media office to the press.
The House of Representatives had ratified the budget in two separate sessions – one in April totaling 90 billion Libyan dinars ($18.5 billion) and another recently for an additional 88 billion Libyan dinars. The approved budget is intended for the government in Benghazi, led by Osama Hamad, who assumed office in 2023 and has close ties with military commander Khalifa Haftar, who controls the eastern and southern regions of Libya.
Describing the allocated sum of 179 billion Libyan dinars as unprecedented, the Council raised concerns about the excessive amount of money involved. Since the NATO-backed uprising against Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been plagued by ongoing conflicts and division, notably between eastern and western factions since 2014.
In Tripoli, the Government of National Unity, led by interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, strives to navigate the complex political landscape. The House of Representatives, elected in 2014, and the High State Council, established as part of a 2015 political agreement, play significant roles in Libya’s governance framework.
Under the terms of the 2015 political agreement, the High State Council serves as a consultative body with authority in key political decisions. The council’s recent stance on the budget signals a rejection of the House of Representatives’ decisions, urging relevant parties to challenge any laws deemed in violation.
The developments in Libya underscore the ongoing political complexities in the region, with various factions and bodies engaging in critical decision-making processes.
