Russia welcomes the approval by Libya's House of Representatives (parliament) of the new Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdul Hamid al-Dabaib. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
"We welcome the decision of the Libyan parliament. We regard it as an important step towards overcoming the protracted acute crisis in Libya on the basis of a mutually acceptable constructive consensus between the opposing sides and an inclusive dialogue involving all influential political forces," the statement said.
Smolensk Square noted that Libya has been and remains an important partner of Russia in North Africa. "Relying on the traditionally friendly relations between the two nations, our states are aimed at further development of political contacts, early restoration of the high level of bilateral cooperation in economic, military-technical and humanitarian spheres," the Russian Foreign Ministry added.
Libya's House of Representatives gave a vote of confidence to GNU al-Dabaib on Wednesday. Voting was open, and out of 134 deputies present, 132 voted in favor, two abstained, and 36 deputies were absent. The first consultations regarding the composition of the cabinet began in parliament on Monday. The prime minister, who was elected on February 5 at the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in Switzerland, has been given 21 days to form a cabinet. He presented the concept of the future GNU to parliament on February 25, but did not submit a list of specific candidates until March 6.
Al-Dabaib's cabinet includes 35 positions: 27 ministers, six state ministers and two deputy prime ministers without portfolios. Two key posts - foreign and defense ministers - remain vacant. Consultations between the prime minister and the Presidential Council are now underway on the candidacy of the foreign minister, while Dbeiba will take over the duties of defense minister until an agreement is reached on a figure that receives the approval of all three regions of the country, is as independent as possible and does not represent the conflicting parties.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS