BENGHAZI: Libya’s parliament announced Monday it would meet next week to pick a replacement for interim Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah, potentially escalating tensions between the country’s eastern and western factions.
The announcement, a month after planned elections were abandoned amid bitter arguments over their legal basis, lays bare once again the extent of divisions between eastern and western factions in the war-torn country.
Spokesman Abdallah Bliheq said the assembly, based in the country’s east, was ready to start examining applications for the role, and that candidates would face hearings in the house on February 7.
A session will take place the following day to select the winner, he said.
The United Nations has been leading efforts to help move the North African country past a decade of chaos following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
Dbeibah’s government had a mandate to lead the country to December 24 elections — in which he was a candidate despite having committed to not running.
Since the polls were canceled, parliament speaker Aguila Saleh, also a presidential hopeful, has led calls to replace Dbeibah, arguing his mandate is over.
The parliament, in the eastern city of Tobruk, had already passed a no-confidence motion against Dbeibahs’ government in September, a vote rejected by an upper house based in the capital.
The assembly had published criteria last week for applicants to the role, without setting a deadline for their appointment.
The UN, western powers and even some members of parliament have called for Dbeibah to stay in his role until elections, for which a new date has not yet been set.
Bliheq on Monday called for “certain ambassadors” and the UN’s top representative in Libya, Stephanie Williams, “not to interfere in Libyan affairs.”
Dbeibah has repeatedly said he will only hand power to an elected government.
Libya parliament sets date to replace PM
https://arab.news/bv93p
Libya parliament sets date to replace PM
- Spokesman Abdallah Bliheq said the assembly was ready to start examining applications for the role
- He said candidates would face hearings in the house on February 7
GCC states ‘face reliance on Saudi Arabia for food imports’
- With 70 percent of food coming through Strait of Hormuz, analysts warn of inevitable shortages
DUBAI: Some Gulf states may have to rely on overland food deliveries from Saudi Arabia if the US-Israel-Iran war continues to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and restrict regional airspace, analysts warned on Thursday.
The region is up to 90 percent dependent on food imports, and price surges and scarcity of some goods are expected.
“With over 70 percent of GCC foodstuffs being imported through the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf states face shortages if the war persists,” said Neil Quilliam of the Chatham House think tank.
“While GCC countries have taken steps to diversify suppliers and ensure sufficient stores to withstand disruption, this can only last several months. At this point, price increases and longer lead times will start to hit the markets.”
Commodities analyst Ishan Bhanu said: “The biggest immediate effect will be due to the blockade of Jebel Ali in Dubai, serving about 50 million people. Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq effectively become landlocked and will depend on overland routes through Saudi Arabia.”
Bottlenecks are yet to show and the UAE has said its strategic reserves of vital goods cover four to six months of needs. It urged residents to report unjustified price increases through a dedicated hotline.
Supermarket staff throughout the Gulf said shelves remain largely stocked, though suppliers are taking longer to replenish certain products. Iran’s strikes on the Gulf since Saturday prompted panic buying in supermarkets, a dry run for what could come.
“Perception of risk matters, and even if stocks are sufficient now, public runs on supermarkets can spook the public,” Quilliam said.
