File Photo: The HQ of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry in Cairo. Photo : Al-Ahram
According to a statement released by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the amendment, which was approved yesterday, marks an important step in fulfilling the necessary frameworks to hold the Libyan presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously and as soon as possible under the supervision of a neutral executive authority that upholds the supreme interests of the Libyan state.
The statement added that Egypt is looking forward to seeing the Libyan House of Representatives and Council of State completing their efforts in preparing electoral laws.
The foreign ministry reiterated Egypt's full support for the Libyan-Libyan process, praising the efforts of the House of Representatives, the only elected legislative body in Libya, and the High Council of State.
The statement also asserted Egypt’s rejection of any external dictates on the Libyans or circumventing the role of Libyan institutions, in accordance with the Skhirat Agreement.
Egypt also called on all involved parties to adhere to these irreplaceable foundations and determinants.
The foreign ministry also stressed the need to stop external interference in Libya and the exit of all foreign forces.
It reiterated Egypt’s support for the relevant mission of the 5+5 Joint Military Committee in order to ensure and emphasise the sovereignty and stability of Libya.
On Thursday, the Libyan House of Representatives in Benghazi approved the 13th amendment of the Libyan Constitutional declaration that was published in the Libyan state’s official gazette on the same day.
The newly amended constitutional declaration includes 34 articles defining the new system of government and the tasks of the elected president and prime minister.
It also defines the powers and tasks of the legislative authority, which the amendment divides into two chambers: a House of Representatives and a National Assembly.
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