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Libya's eastern parliament elects al-Obeidi as its speaker
Libya's eastern-based House of Representatives elected Al-Salihin Abdul Nabi al-Obeidi as speaker at a session in Benghazi, ending Aguila Salih's tenure. The decision came a day after 98 lawmakers approved amendments to the chamber's bylaws and a new leadership structure.
As the political division between Libya's two rival administrations based in Tripoli and Benghazi continues, the country's eastern-based House of Representatives elected Al-Salihin Abdul Nabi al-Obeidi as its speaker.
The election was held on Tuesday at the official headquarters in Benghazi, House spokesman Abdullah Blihaq said. During the session chaired by Second Deputy Speaker Misbah Duma, al-Obeidi replaced Aguila Salih.
Al-Obeidi's parliamentary roles
Al-Obeidi, who represents the first electoral district covering Tobruk, serves on the House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee.
Before his election, al-Obeidi also chaired the Libya-Türkiye Parliamentary Friendship Committee established by the House of Representatives in April 2024. In that role, he worked to develop relations with Türkiye through parliamentary diplomacy, economic cooperation and cultural cooperation.
Objection to the leadership structure
A day before the election of the new speaker, 98 lawmakers approved amendments to the House's bylaws and the establishment of a new leadership structure. The decision sought to end the existing leadership term under Salih's chairmanship.
Lawmaker Mohammed Tamer said 102 members attended the session held in Benghazi the previous day and that Duma chaired it. According to Tamer, 98 lawmakers approved an amendment introducing a single-term limit for House membership.
Aguila Salih described the previous session as "unofficial" and argued that the decisions taken had no legal effect. Salih said the procedures set out in the law governing the House and in its bylaws had not been followed, particularly those concerning the amendment and adoption of laws.
Salih was also criticized in a joint statement issued two weeks earlier by 86 lawmakers. The lawmakers accused Salih of preventing them from entering the House's headquarters and holding a session with the required quorum to discuss House reform and amendments to the bylaws.
One of the legal bases of the dispute is Law No. 4 of 2014, which adopted the House of Representatives' internal regulations. The law does not set a fixed term for the House speaker and does not require a new election after a specified period. Some lawmakers have opposed this arrangement and called for the House leadership to be renewed through internal elections held each year.
Libya's political division
Libya is divided between two rival administrations. The Government of National Unity, based in Tripoli and governing the country's west, is headed by Abdulhamid Dbeibeh.
The government appointed by the House of Representatives at the beginning of 2022, headed by Osama Hamad, is based in Benghazi and governs the east and most cities in the south. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya continues its efforts to pave the way for elections that could resolve the political crisis.
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