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The Moroccan mediation between Libya’s House of Representatives and the High Council of State, following a consultative meeting held on Wednesday and Thursday in Bouznika, has resulted in an agreement on the preparatory phase of the electoral process. However, this success has angered Taher Al-Baour, a Libyan foreign affairs official known for his close ties to Algeria.
In a letter to Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, Al-Baour expressed his «great surprise» at seeing Morocco host «a dialogue session between members of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State» without «prior coordination or adherence to standard diplomatic procedures for such meetings».
Al-Baour urged the Moroccan foreign ministry to ensure «prior coordination with Libya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for any meetings between Libyan parties in Morocco, to avoid disrupting efforts toward achieving lasting peace and stability, in coordination with the United Nations Support Mission in Libya».
The High Council of State responds
In response, Libya’s High Council of State, an executive and consultative body established under the 2015 Skhirat Agreement brokered by the UN to end conflict and political division, issued a statement expressing «deep surprise» at the remarks made by the outgoing Government of National Unity’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Council explained that the Bouznika meetings were held at «the request of members from both chambers, following a first meeting in Tunisia on February 28, 2024, and a second meeting in Egypt on July 18, 2024».
The Council criticized the demand for prior coordination with Libya’s foreign ministry, calling it a «blatant interference in the affairs of the two chambers» and reflecting «a lack of understanding of the separation of powers and the boundaries of executive authority». The Council emphasized that it is an independent legislative body that establishes executive authority and is not subordinate to it.
«The role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to create the necessary conditions and provide services for legislative members inside and outside the country whenever they decide to meet, based on their own directives. The ministry does not have the authority to oppose their actions», the Council added.
Gratitude toward Morocco
The Council expressed «sincere gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco, its King, government, and people, for their efforts in fostering dialogue among Libyans and working to resolve the Libyan crisis».
Similarly, the Coordination Committee for Joint Meetings between the House of Representatives and the High Council of State issued a statement affirming that members of both bodies «do not require anyone’s approval to meet wherever they deem appropriate, whether inside or outside the country». The committee added that the next meeting is planned to take place in Libya’s Derna, provided security conditions allow it to proceed without obstruction or interference.
It is worth noting that Taher Al-Baour, Libya’s foreign affairs official, is known for his close ties to Algeria. He holds regular consultations with his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf, and his government is involved in the Maghreb Union project alongside Algeria and Tunisia. This project is seen as part of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s efforts to isolate Morocco from its Maghreb neighbors.
