The eastern-based House of Representatives in Libya has elected a new speaker, Al-Salhin Abdelnabi al-Obeidi, replacing Aguila Saleh after his 12-year tenure. The vote took place on Tuesday, with 98 members approving a new system that limits the speaker and deputy speakers to a single 12-month term. This change ends a leadership arrangement that has been in place since the chamber's first elections in 2014.
Lawmaker Jebree Oheida stated that there was significant discontent among members of parliament regarding Saleh's leadership, citing decisions made without consulting lawmakers as a major concern. The vote was overseen by Second Deputy Speaker Misbah Douma.
Saleh has previously rejected the proceedings, claiming the vote to limit the speaker's term was unofficial and lacked legal effect. He also announced the cancellation of a session he had called for on the same day as the vote.
The political landscape in Libya remains divided, with a United Nations-recognized government in Tripoli led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and a rival administration in the east supported by military commander Khalifa Haftar. Saleh has been viewed as an ally of Haftar, but analysts suggest he has been weakened as Haftar’s sons consolidate their power.
Al-Obeidi, who hails from the same tribe as Saleh, represents the eastern city of Tobruk and has chaired the parliament's Libyan-Turkish friendship committee. The House also elected Tarek al-Ashtar and Mesbah Douma as first and second deputy speakers, respectively. These elections follow a landmark agreement signed in August by representatives from Libya's rival political factions, which aims to facilitate presidential and legislative elections within two years. This agreement was mediated by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and seeks to address ongoing legal and institutional disputes in the country since the fall of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The United States is also pursuing a separate reunification plan for Libya, led by Massad Boulos, a senior adviser for Arab and African affairs under President Donald Trump.