France backs compromise between Libya’s rival legislative chambers

TRIPOLI, Libya

The French ambassador to Libya on Saturday reiterated support for a compromise between the country’s two rival legislative chambers.

This came during a meeting in the capital Tripoli between Mustafa Maharaj and Khaled al-Mishri, head of the High Council of State (HCS).

According to a council statement, the French envoy reiterated his country’s support for a compromise between the council and the Libyan parliament to reach consensus on electoral laws and legislation to achieve stability in Libya.

The two sides discussed current political issues in Libya, especially the recent meetings on the consensual constitutional basis with the two chambers.

Last week, the heads of the two rival chambers met in Egypt, where they agreed to draft a roadmap for long-awaited elections.

Oil-rich Libya has remained in turmoil since 2011 when longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi was ousted after four decades in power.

The situation has worsened since 2021 when the Libyan parliament appointed a new government led by former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha, but the head of the Tripoli-based government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, said he will cede authority only to a government that comes through an "elected parliament," raising fears that Libya could slip back into a civil war.

* Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report