February 17, 2016•Update: May 09, 2016
By Muhammed Ali Akman
ANKARA
A vote of confidence for the cabinet of Libya’s new unity government will be a vital step in resolving the country’s five-year political turmoil.
The country’s internationally recognized parliament on Tuesday postponed a vote on the new government until Feb. 22.
Now, eyes have turned to the result of this vote.
The oil-rich country has remained in a state of turmoil since a bloody rebellion -- part of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings -- ended with the ouster and death of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.
Since then, the country’s stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of government, one in Tobruk and one in capital Tripoli, each of which boasts its own institutions and military capacities.
The unity government is the result of a UN-backed agreement signed on Dec. 17 last year by the country’s rival political camps.
The lineup of the government includes 13 cabinet ministers and five ministers of state -- headed by prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj.
U.S. President Barack Obama has expressed optimism that Libya's leaders can commit to a unity government that would end years of political discord.
UN envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler, has called on the Tobruk government, known as the House of Representatives, to support the new cabinet.
“This is an historic opportunity for peace,” Kobler said on Sunday, adding: “It's now their [members of House of Representatives] responsibility to save their country from the scourge of further conflict and destruction.”
However, views of members of House of Representatives vary.
Tariq al-Jaroushi, one of the members, says they will oppose the new cabinet if it receives a vote of confidence.
The new government will increase regional divisions, says another member, Mustafa A.G. Abushagur.
Mohammed Reyad, other member of the House of Representatives, looks positive: "I believe the new cabinet is perfect and represents the country’s demographic structure very well."
Last month, Libya’s Tobruk-based parliament rejected a cabinet lineup proposed by Fayez al-Sarraj.
