The Government of National Stability (Arabic: حكومة الاستقرار الوطني, romanized: Ḥukūmat al-istiqrār al-waṭanī) is a provisional government of Libya based in Benghazi[1] that formed on 3 March 2022, led by Osama Hamada and supported by the House of Representatives and the Libyan National Army. Since its inception, the government has claimed power over Libya in competition with the Government of National Unity led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, with the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum coordinating the ceasefire agreement.
Government of National Stability (GNS) حكومة الإستقرار الوطني | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Date formed | 3 March 2022 |
| People and organisations | |
| Prime Minister of Libya | Osama Hamada (acting) |
| Appointed by | House of Representatives |
| No. of ministers | 27 |
Background
editOn 21 September 2021, the House of Representatives (HoR), which rules eastern Libya, passed a no-confidence motion against the Government of National Unity.[2]
Creation
editOn 10 February 2022, the House of Representatives selected Fathi Bashagha as Prime Minister-designate, after HoR Speaker Aguila Saleh Issa announced the only other candidate, Khalid Al-Baybas, withdrew his candidacy.[3] However, Al-Baybas denied withdrawing from the race.[4] Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh rejected Bashagha's appointment as Prime Minister, stating that he will only hand over power after a national election.[3] LNA leader Khalifa Haftar welcomed Bashagha's appointment.[5]
On 1 March, the House of Representatives voted to give confidence to Bashagha's Government of National Stability.[6][7] According to HoR Speaker Saleh, 92 out of 101 attending members voted for the new government.[6] The High Council of State rejected "unilateral" steps by the HoR and regards the HoR decision to grant confidence to a new government a violation of the Libyan Political Agreement.[8] The Government of National Unity refused to transfer powers to the Bashagha government.[9] The United Nations has voiced concerns over the vote due to reports on lack of transparency and procedure, and acts of intimidation prior to the HoR session.[10]
Bashagha and his cabinet were sworn in at the House of Representatives headquarters in Tobruk on 3 March.[11][12]
Since mid-2022
editIn mid-2022, the two governments functioned in parallel, holding dual power.[13]
There were clashes between supporters of the two governments starting in May 2022,[14] which escalated on 27 August 2022.[15]
In May 2023 Bashagha was replaced by Finance Minister Osama Hamada, citing poor performance.[16]
References
edit- ^ Zaptia, Sami (8 June 2022). "Bashagha government is to resume its work from the city of Sirte". Libya Herald. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ "Libya's parliament passes no-confidence vote in unity government". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 2021-09-21. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
- ^ a b "Libya rifts deepen as new PM named, incumbent refuses to yield". Reuters. 10 February 2022. Archived from the original on 10 February 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
- ^ Assad, Abdulkader (13 February 2022). "Al-Baybas denies withdrawing from PM candidacy contrary to HoR Speaker's remarks". Libya Observer. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ "Libya: Tobruk parliament names new PM, fuelling division". Al Jazeera. 10 February 2022. Archived from the original on 10 February 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
- ^ a b Assad, Abdulkader (1 March 2022). "Libya's Parliament gives confidence to Bashagha's government". Libya Observer. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ Zaptia, Sami (2 March 2022). "Bashagha Government of National Stability (GNS) releases new crest". Libya Herald. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- ^ Alharathy, Safa (1 March 2022). "HCS: Granting confidence to a new government violates Political Agreement". Libya Observer. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ^ Zaptia, Sami (1 March 2022). "Citing false votes and no quorum, the incumbent Aldabaiba government refuses to give up office to the new Bashagha government". Libya Herald. Archived from the original on 28 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ "UN voices concern over vote on new Libyan prime minister". Al Jazeera. 3 March 2022. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
- ^ "Libyan parliament swears in new PM as crisis deepens". Al Jazeera. 3 March 2022. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
- ^ Assad, Abdulkader (3 March 2022). "Bashagha's government sworn in at HoR in Tobruk". Libya Observer. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- ^ "Libya — a tale of two governments, again". Arab News. 2022-06-11. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
- ^ "Clashes force Libya's Bashagha from Tripoli after brief attempt to enter". Reuters. 2022-05-17. Archived from the original on 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
- ^ "Libya clashes: UN calls for ceasefire after 32 killed". BBC News. 2022-08-28. Archived from the original on 2022-08-28. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
- ^ "من هو أسامة حماد المكلف بتسيير مهام رئاسة الحكومة الليبية؟ - Who is Osama Hammad, who is assigned to run the duties of the presidency of the Libyan government?". alwatan-ly.com (in Arabic). 17 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.