UN Proposes New Roadmap to Form Unified Executive Authority in Libya

The United Nations mission in Libya has received a new roadmap aimed at creating a unified executive authority bound by a clear timeframe, ultimately leading to elections. This initiative is part of efforts to address the political deadlock and the existence of multiple authorities that hinder a peaceful transition in the country.

Following extensive deliberations and broad discussions conducted by a specialized team within the governance track of Libya’s structured dialogue under UN auspices, a comprehensive structural vision was presented. This vision positions national elections as a strategic goal rather than a tactical one, according to sources involved in drafting the roadmap for forming the new unified government.

The initiative, scheduled for unveiling by the UN mission on June 7, is based on three fundamental principles. The foremost is the unification of the executive authority and the elimination of institutional duplication. The second principle emphasizes strict adherence to transitional timelines without extensions or excuses related to circumstances. The third focuses on ensuring national inclusivity that guarantees genuine representation of all components, regions, and social groups.

These core principles draw from experiences of democratic transitions in similar contexts and the outcomes of Libyan dialogue since the 2015 Skhirat Agreement, along with subsequent talks and agreements. Therefore, the proposal is more than procedural recommendations.

The issue of executive authority in Libya remains one of the most urgent challenges currently, as the multiplicity of authorities and the absence of unified executive references have constituted a fundamental obstacle to ending institutional division and achieving the desired political transition.

The Libyan political team recommends that the Presidential Council consist of a president and one or two deputies. The president of the council would hold clear and exclusive executive powers, including supreme command of the armed forces, declaring emergencies, and deciding on war and peace after consultation with the deputy or deputies.

The president is responsible for approving the general budget proposed by the prime minister and appointing and dismissing ambassadors and senior officials based on nominations from the prime minister.

The Presidential Council would also oversee the national reconciliation process. If composed of only a president and one deputy, each would represent a different region. The national entitlement government would consist of a prime minister and a deputy from each of Libya’s three historical regions.

The prime minister and cabinet would exercise their powers according to applicable laws, while each deputy prime minister would manage and monitor development and service projects in their respective region, ensuring fair resource distribution and service delivery across all areas.

The proposal outlines two tracks for forming the executive authority. The first track involves selecting the executive authority—comprising the Presidential Council, prime minister, and three deputies—by the dialogue committee established under Article 64 of the 2015 Skhirat Political Agreement. The prime minister would then form the government and submit it to the House of Representatives for approval within a maximum of 30 days.

If the first track fails or the deadline lapses, the government would revert to the expanded political dialogue committee for approval.

The executive authority would be elected through a single-list system by the dialogue committee, including the Presidential Council, prime minister, and three deputies simultaneously. This approach aims to strengthen internal cohesion within the authority and prevent fragmentation or disputes over legitimacy.

The governance track team proposes limiting the government’s mandate to a preparatory phase not exceeding 18 to 24 months, with a strict timeline that cannot be extended under any pretext. During this transitional period, entering into any international commitments or long-term sovereign agreements would be prohibited. The team also stresses the necessity of ensuring fair and effective representation of women, youth, cultural components, and persons with disabilities within the executive authority structures, reflecting Libya’s true societal diversity.

The negotiating team requires that any candidate for an executive position must hold Libyan nationality, possess a university degree, be at least 35 years old, have relevant professional experience and academic qualifications, and have a clean criminal record. Additionally, the team recommends candidates provide a written pledge not to run in the upcoming elections to guarantee the neutrality of transitional officeholders and their full dedication to their duties, free from electoral considerations.