Political developments in Libya, the Al-Hishari case, and Egyptian escalation regarding the Renaissance Dam

The Libyan House of Representatives has entered a new phase of polarization among its members, amid fears that the dispute will affect the regularity of the work of the legislative institution, after representatives moved to hold a session to discuss “reforming the Council, changing its presidency, and amending its internal regulations,” but their attempt to hold the session was met with prevention, while the Presidency of the Council denied the existence of a scheduled official session.

According to parliamentary sources, the differences center around demands to make changes within the Council, including its presidency, led by its president, Aguila Saleh, who has been in office since August 2014, which led to the formation of two camps between those who support these movements and others who reject them.

A parliamentary source familiar with the positions of the various parties within Parliament expressed concern that the intensity of polarization would push the Council into a “stage of legislative and constitutional obstruction,” warning that the continued division may open the door to challenges to legislation issued by it.

The source went on to say that the dispute may also reduce the chances of consensus on transforming the understandings reached by the “4+4” committee regarding electoral laws between the House of Representatives and the “state” into amendments included in the Constitutional Declaration, at a time when the Libyan parties are seeking to push for elections.

Events accelerated in Benghazi on Monday, with media reports that a military force affiliated with the authorities in eastern Libya prevented 86 representatives from entering the headquarters of the House of Representatives to hold a meeting to discuss reforming the House and amending its internal regulations.

In a statement issued later, the representatives adhered to the continuation of the “parliamentary movement,” expressing their readiness to hold a meeting in any Libyan city in which members would be able to exercise their duties, based on Article 137 of the Council’s internal regulations.

On the other hand, Member of the House of Representatives, Abdel Moneim Al-Arfi, denied the existence of movements within the Council’s headquarters aimed at changing its presidency, considering that the existing differences are limited to “personal issues.” Council spokesman Abdullah Belhaq denied the existence of a scheduled official session, describing the security measures as “routine.”

On the other hand, supporters of Khaled Al-Hishari, the former director of a prison in Tripoli who is appearing before the International Criminal Court, escalated their protests against the head of the “National Unity” government, Abdul Hamid Al-Dabaiba, demanding Al-Hishari’s return and trial in Libya.

Khaled Al-Hishari (48 years old), nicknamed the “Angel of Death,” faces 17 charges related to war crimes committed in Mitiga prison. The Criminal Court has set the date of next May 4 for his trial.

In the Renaissance Dam file, Egypt used a new sharp tone that portended escalation, as Egyptian Irrigation Minister Hani Sweilem confirmed that the dam was “illegal,” stressing that Egypt was maintaining all measures to protect its water security, and that “all legitimate options remained available” to the Egyptian state.