SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association)- Libya’s parliament has rejected a ruling by the country’s Constitutional Court that said the legislative body should be dissolved, saying the decision has been made under threat from militias in the capital, Tripoli.
Libyan lawmaker Adam Abu Sakhra on Thursday read out an official statement by the country’s parliament, known as the House of Representatives, which noted that the decision by the court had been taken “under the threat of arms” because Tripoli is “ruled by outlawed militias.”
“The House of Representatives rejects the verdict under these conditions and says it is still functioning, as is the government,” the statement added.
It also noted that the parliament had been elected on June 25 by the Libyan people in “free and credible” polls and therefore would not be invalidated.
The court’s decision to nullify the parliament’s constitutionality came amid the continued operation of another legislature in the capital.
Under the Libyan constitution, the legislative body should operate from the capital or Benghazi. The parliament, however, is currently based in the city of Tobruk. Libya’s government and the parliament buildings moved to Tobruk after an armed group from the town of Misrata seized the capital and most government institutions in August. The new rulers in Tripoli have set up the rival legislature.
Libya plunged into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The ouster of Gaddafi gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.
The country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militia groups that refuse to lay down arms. The groups are now turning their guns on each other in an attempt to dominate politics and the country’s vast oil resources.
Source:PressTV
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