Libya’s parliament speaker, Agila Saleh, has been removed from his position after 12 years, marking a significant political shift within the country. The decision was made during a parliamentary vote on Tuesday, with MPs opting to appoint Al-Salhin Abdelnabi al-Obeidi as his successor.
Saleh, an ally of eastern military leader Khalifa Haftar, had long been a dominant figure in the Libyan political scene. His tenure comes amidst ongoing violence and instability in Libya, which has remained fragmented since the fall of muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The country continues to be divided between the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and a rival authority backed by Haftar in the east. The parliament, situated in Benghazi, has traditionally aligned itself with Haftar’s interests.
At 82 years old, Saleh has faced increasing pressure as Haftar’s family, particularly his son Saddam Haftar, strengthen their political influence. Emadeddin Badi, a political analyst at Chatham House, remarked that Saleh’s ousting reflects the shifts in power dynamics as Haftar’s supporters seek to centralize authority in eastern Libya.
This change in leadership occurs amidst discussions regarding a U.S. initiative aimed at revitalizing Libya’s political processes and fostering unity among its divided institutions.
