The Head of the High Council of State, Mohammed Takala, expressed his complete rejection of the House of Representatives’ (HoR) approval of the general budget worth 179 billion dinars, calling on all stakeholders to appeal the budget before the law, adding in a letter to the Speaker of the HoR on Thursday, that the budget approval session witnessed serious violations, which were expressed by the members of the HoR themselves on various media outlets.
Takala said that the violations reduce the actions issued by the HoR in that closed session to the point of nonexistence - meaning that passing the budget law wouldn't be approved. He also said that there was a lack of commitment to refer the draft budget law to the High Council of State, to express a binding opinion on it, in accordance with what is specified in the texts of the Libyan Political Agreement of 2015.
"The House of Representatives’ persistence in its unilateral measures and arrangements to manage public affairs will only lead to further division and waste of public resources and capabilities,” Takala said, warning of the seriousness of this matter and its repercussions, and holding those responsible for it and its negative effects on society and the future of the country totally accountable for the results.
He stressed that the HCS did not take into account the decisions that resulted from the last session of representatives, and considered them to have no legal effect because they did not meet the rules for approving the budget law.
Two days ago, Takala asked HoR Speaker to refer the draft state budget law for the year 2024 to the HCS to study it and provide him with an opinion on it. In a letter addressed to Saleh, he indicated his intention to object to the law and appeal it if it is approved without consulting the HCS.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted in favor of adopting the largest budget in the history of Libya, worth 179 billion dinars, after adding an allocation of about 88 billion dinars to it.
