A Third Government Enters Tripoli and Demands Power Transfer in Libya

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The Libyan political scene has entered a new phase of complexity on Friday, with the announcement of Mustafa Al-Majdoub, who was chosen by a group of politicians and activists as the head of what they called a "unified government," arriving in the capital Tripoli and beginning to carry out his duties, in a move that presents the country with a new authority in the face of the two existing governments in Tripoli and Benghazi.

Al-Majdoub announced, in a speech addressed to the Libyans, the freezing of the work of the Parliament and the Supreme Council of State, calling on the Prime Minister of the National Unity Government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, and the Prime Minister appointed by the Parliament, Osama Hamad, to peacefully hand over power "to spare Libyan blood."

Not only did Al-Majdoub announce his arrival in Tripoli, but he also proposed a timeline to end the transitional phase, as he called for a referendum on the constitution within 90 days, with presidential and parliamentary elections to be held within 8 months of the end of the referendum. He also declared a state of general military alert to protect the borders, the homeland, and the citizens.

Al-Majdoub's name emerged last July, after he was chosen by a group of politicians and activists during a meeting held in Geneva as the head of a "unified government," in an initiative that came outside the existing political tracks, and since its announcement, it has sparked debate and questions about its legitimacy and the possibility of transforming it into an actual authority within Libya.

The arrival of Al-Majdoub in Tripoli and his declaration of himself as the head of a third government was met with varied reactions. While the Presidential Council and the governments of Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and Osama Hamad remained silent regarding his proposals, other social forces and activities showed openness to his program and engaged with it seriously, considering that what he proposed could form a foundation to build upon to overcome the political and institutional division the country is experiencing.

In this context, "Revolutionaries, dignitaries, wise men, and youth of Misrata" announced in a statement their support for Mustafa Al-Majdoub to lead a unified government and take charge of affairs as soon as possible, calling for the necessity of seizing this opportunity to end the division, unify state institutions, establish the rule of law, and protect public funds.

The "Sons of Tripoli" also announced their full support for the path led by Mustafa Al-Majdoub and for a new phase aimed at ending division, corruption, and conflict, and building a state where Libyans decide their future themselves.

For his part, member of the High Council of State Saad Ben Sharada reacted to this, saying, "You may agree or disagree with Al-Majdoub, and you may see in his project something worth discussing or something that needs review, but the truth is that courage today has become a rare commodity in the Libyan scene." He considered that a person stepping forward and clearly announcing his desire to take on the responsibility of leading the state, despite limited resources and the difficult situation, "is a position that requires a degree of courage."

Ben Sharada concluded that Libya "needs today someone who has the audacity to present himself and his project to the Libyans, and then leave the final word to them."

Meanwhile, observers view Al-Majdoub's move as coming in the context of frustration over the ongoing political division and the stalled electoral process, considering that proposing a timeline for the constitution and elections may resonate with sectors that see the continuation of the transitional phase as no longer acceptable.

This comes at a time when the United Nations mission in Libya is pushing for a political path aimed at unifying authority to create the conditions for holding general elections that would end the country's crisis.