His army, the self-proclaimed Libyan Arab Army, controls much of eastern and southern Libya, including oil fields and terminals. Distrust deepened when lawmakers decided to hold parliamentary elections rather than at the same time a month after the December 24 presidential vote. Major Western governments are calling for the government to stay in power until “quick” parliamentary and presidential elections take place. The election legislative committee has accused the militia of “wanting to create a distorted election process.” This is a clear reference to a complaint from Tripoli regarding election rules. This week, more than 100 lawmakers held a two-day debate on the election process and the future of the interim government in the eastern city of Tobruk.

Source: Libya Today December 29, 2021 16:16 UTC