The candidate for the position of Chairman of the Supreme Council of State, Khaled Al-Mishri, said that he began his work at the headquarters of the Supreme Council of State as its Chairman, stressing that the recent elections for the presidency of the Council resulted in his winning the position of Chairman of the Council in its second round in a sound and clear manner, according to him.
Al-Mishri added in a videotaped speech from inside the council that the Legal Committee of the Supreme Council of State decided on the legal controversy that occurred in the election session, indicating that it is the competent authority for that, according to him.
Al-Mishri called on his competitor, Mohamed Takala, to resort to the judiciary to express his objections, stressing that he will abide by the law and that he has no objection to re-electing if the judiciary rules in Takala’s favor with any rights, according to his expression.
Al-Mishri added that he will work to end any disputes within the council, and that he did not come for disputes and settling scores, but rather for the purpose of unifying the country and passing through the political process smoothly and properly, he said.
Khaled Al-Mishri pointed out that consultative sessions were held for members to complete the elections for the Council’s presidency, adding that he is the president of all members of the Council, whether they elected him or not, and that he will deal with them equally, as he put it.
Al-Mishri pointed out that the unity of the Supreme Council of State is a unity for the capital, Tripoli, and for the western region in general, in preparation for a comprehensive national unity for the entire Libyan country, and going to elections that achieve the highest meanings of national unity, he said.
Khaled Al-Mishri called on the council members to work to reach free and fair elections through which he can hand over the trust to the people and those they choose, according to him.
“Political bullying”
For his part, Mohamed Takala rejected what he called “control of the council headquarters” and considered it a disregard for the votes and desires of a significant number of members, according to him.
Takala said in a statement that this approach has nothing to do with democracy and may threaten the cohesion of the council and its work in the coming period.
Takala added that despite their knowledge that the paper was valid, they were satisfied with one of the solutions that would remove the embarrassment from everyone, either by resorting to the opinion of the Supreme Court, considering it the final decision in all judicial rulings as it is the highest legal authority, or by a third round that would determine who the actual president is, according to him.
Takala denounced what he described as the introduction of parties from outside the council, interference in its affairs, and the imposition of a fait accompli with the logic of “bullying,” as he put it, stressing that he would accept the result that the members contribute to drawing up.
Last Tuesday, an election paper inside the Supreme Council’s corridors sparked controversy among members regarding the outcome of the presidential elections, as the paper was stamped in favor of the current president, Mohamed Takala, but on the surface of the paper.
While some members considered it in Takala’s favour, making him equal to candidate Khaled Al-Mishri in terms of the number of votes, other members considered it invalid, making Al-Mishri one vote ahead of Takala (69-68) and securing the presidency for him.
The State Council is holding its elections for the ninth time since its establishment in 2015 after the signing of the political agreement known as the “Skhirat Agreement.”
Source: Visual Word + Libya Al-Ahrar Channel
2024-08-15 10:27:46