The special envoy to Libya, Bernardino Leon, had presented both the HoR and the rival General National Congress(GNC) government, based in Tripoli, with the final draft of the LPA together with the names of six senior officials of the Government of National Accord(GNA), several days ago. At a session of the HoR yesterday, the draft and names were discussed but no vote taken. The HoR reconvened today.
According to the Libya Herald, a pro-HoR news source, there was a stormy two-hour meeting. The more than 130 members were apparently split into three groups. A minority were for rejecting the whole package, while another group were for accepting the entire package as it was. A third group wanted changes to the draft or names before they would accept the package. Many objected to the appointment of GNC choice Ahmed Maetig, who had been at one time a GNC choice for prime minister. The Herald claims there was not even any discussion of the State Council, a body consisting of GNC members. Nor did the HoR discuss how the unity government could work with the presence of Libya Dawn, militia of the GNC, which has not accepted the deal. Being pro-HoR, the Herald does not ask how the deal could work given that Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the HoR forces, has rejected the LPA and is continuing the military Operation Dignity, which he launched back in May of 2014 to rid Libya of Islamists including Libya Dawn. He considers the military of the GNC terrorists. He will neither negotiate with them or agree to a ceasefire with them.
In spite of claims by some sources that the GNC has already rejected the LPA, it seems the GNC has not yet even met to consider the deal. The Libya Herald claims a source in the GNC told them that there was a majority in favour of the LPA, but the president of the GNC opposed the deal and so was not calling a meeting in order to block approval. What is more likely is that the GNC is waiting for the HoR to reject the LPA and be condemned and even punished by the international community, who have been enthusiastic cheerleaders for the LPA and Leon.
Leon insisted the LPA should be approved and the new GNA ready to take power by October 20, when the mandate of the HoR runs out. As it is now, the HoR will not even vote on the issue until then. However, the HoR unilaterally extended its mandate. Meanwhile the GNC has so far not met to discuss the LPA. There is no mention of any planned meeting even in the pro-GNC Libya Observer. Another Leon deadline is likely to be missed.
