Libya’s eastern-based House of Representatives has removed Aguila Saleh from the speaker’s position after nearly 12 years in office, choosing engineer Al-Salhin Abdulnabi al-Obeidi as his successor.
The 170-member legislature voted on Tuesday to replace Saleh with al-Obeidi, who represents the eastern city of Tobruk. The leadership change came amid growing discontent among lawmakers over Saleh’s leadership, according to reports.
Disputed term-limit system
The vote followed the approval of a new system limiting the speaker and deputy speakers to a single 12-month period. Ninety-eight House members supported the measure one day before Saleh was removed.
Local media reported that Saleh had rejected the proceedings linked to the term-limit system. He was also quoted as saying the vote was “not official and had no legal effect.” The legal status and impact of the system therefore remain disputed.
Wider political divisions
Saleh has been described as a strong supporter of eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar. Analysts cited in reports said he appeared weakened as Haftar’s sons, particularly Saddam Haftar, consolidated their positions.
Libya has remained divided since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The country is split between a United Nations-recognised government based in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east backed by Haftar.
The change in the eastern parliament’s leadership comes while a United States initiative aimed at reviving Libya’s political process and unifying state institutions was under discussion. Details of the initiative were not provided.
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