Takala rejects unofficial PM endorsements

Mohamed Takala, President of Libya’s High Council of State, has stated that any nominations for the position of Prime Minister must be carried out through official and legal channels, rejecting recent endorsements made outside formal procedures.

In a statement issued on behalf of the Council, Takala affirmed that no nomination or endorsement would be recognised unless it takes place during a formal general session held at the Council’s headquarters, with full quorum and under the supervision of the Council’s presidency.

The statement clarified that any endorsements or understandings made outside this framework — even if involving individual members of the Council — are not legally binding and carry no official effect.

Procedural conditions reaffirmed

The Council also noted that no institution, including the House of Representatives, may adopt endorsements attributed to the High Council unless they are formally certified by the Council’s presidency and documented through official minutes.

This clarification comes amid growing political activity around the formation of a new government. The Council previously issued similar guidance in May 2025, warning against unilateral actions and calling for adherence to agreed institutional processes.

Meetings with candidates in Tripoli

The statement followed reports that Khaled al-Mishri, former President of the High Council of State, met with several individuals who have submitted their candidacy for the premiership. The meetings reportedly took place at the Council’s offices on Shari’ al-Zill in Tripoli.

According to public sources, the candidates present were:

– Essam Abu Zreiba

– Ali Sassi

– Abdelbaset al-Qomati

– Abdelhakim Baayo

– Abdelkarim Mgueg

– Fadhel al-Amin

– Mohamed al-Muntasir

– Mohamed al-Mazoughi

In addition, representatives were present on behalf of:

– Salama al-Ghweil

– Othman Abdeljalil

– Othman al-Basir

In a statement on social media, al-Mishri indicated that discussions focused on challenges facing the electoral process and options for forming a unified government. He also mentioned that the submitted endorsements would be reviewed and verified before the end of the working day on Thursday as part of the initial procedures.

Institutional coordination highlighted

The High Council’s statement reiterated the importance of coordination between state institutions and adherence to legal frameworks in the formation of the executive authority. It also affirmed the Council’s prerogative to engage with relevant national and international stakeholders regarding any procedures it deems outside legal bounds.