Libya’s Parliament Replaces Speaker Saleh in 110-0 Vote

LIBYA · POLITICS

Two sessions in Benghazi ended Aguila Saleh’s time as speaker of Libya’s parliament, and Washington moved quickly to congratulate his successor.

Washington congratulated the new leadership of Libya’s parliament on Wednesday, 7 October, while members argued over whether its election was lawful. On Tuesday, 6 October, 110 members of the House of Representatives in Benghazi had elected Al-Salheen Abdel-Nabi speaker, replacing Aguila Saleh.

The message came from a senior adviser to the US president, the Libyan news site Al-Wasat reported. The change matters abroad because the House helps set the rules for the national elections Washington wants.

How Saleh Was Replaced in Two Days

The change began on Monday, 5 October, when 102 members met in Benghazi without Saleh. Second Deputy Speaker Misbah Douma chaired the session.

By 98 votes, the members adopted a rule that limits the House leadership to 12-month terms that end automatically. Libya Herald, an English-language Libyan news site, reported that 87 members is widely accepted as the quorum.

The amendment also bars an outgoing leadership from blocking sessions or extending its own term, according to Libya Herald. If the leadership fails to call an election, members can convene without it.

On Tuesday, House spokesman Abdullah Blihaq announced the result of the leadership vote. Abdel-Nabi, a member for the eastern port city of Tobruk, won with the unanimous support of the 110 members present.

Tariq Al-Ashtar became first deputy speaker after a runoff, beating Al-Siddiq Hammouda by 63 votes to 47. Douma kept his post as second deputy, and Zayed Hadiya was elected rapporteur.

The House said on its website that the new leadership took the legal oath before the chamber the same day. Abdel-Nabi, Al-Ashtar and Douma then held their first meeting in Benghazi.

Tobruk, the eastern port city that new speaker Al-Salheen Abdel-Nabi represents in parliament, pictured in 2011. Photo: Mujaddara / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Saleh Calls the Process Unlawful

Saleh, who attended neither session, rejected Monday’s meeting before the leadership vote. He said it was unofficial and had no legal effect, the Libyan outlet Libya Observer reported.

He argued that the session ignored the House’s rules for amending and passing legislation. He then postponed a session of his own, planned for Tuesday, until further notice.

Fawzi al-Nuwairi, the outgoing first deputy speaker, said members had the right to demand reform. He added that decisions only count when the required procedures, quorum and majority are met.

Supporters of the change reject that argument. Al-Mabrouk al-Kabir, a member of the House, told Al-Wasat’s television channel that the session was lawful in its agenda, management and quorum.

Al-Kabir called claims that 120 votes were needed a major fallacy. He said that threshold concerns removing a speaker, while Monday’s amendment only changed the House’s internal rules.

One member, Abdul-Nabi Abdul-Mawla, alleged in local media that armed factions had gained influence over the House and that members were coerced. Libya Observer reported the claims, which could not be independently verified.

What the New Speaker Promised

In his first speech, published on the House website, Abdel-Nabi thanked the outgoing leadership of Saleh, al-Nuwairi and Douma. Libya Observer and the Libyan outlet Al-Marsad reported that he pledged to be a speaker for all members.

He named the rule of law, national dialogue and reconciliation, better public services and the fight against corruption as priorities. He also pledged balanced relations with the government, the judiciary and the security and military institutions.

He welcomed international support, but only with respect for Libya’s sovereignty and its independent national decisions. The published text of the speech did not set out a timetable for elections.

Washington and Haftar Welcome the Change

On Wednesday, 7 October, Massad Boulos congratulated Abdel-Nabi, Al-Ashtar and Douma in a post on X, according to Al-Wasat. Boulos advises the US president on Arab and African affairs.

Al-Wasat quoted him as saying Washington wants to work with the House, its new leadership and all relevant Libyan parties and institutions. He linked that work to unifying Libya’s political, economic and military institutions and to successful national elections.

Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the armed forces that control eastern Libya, also welcomed the new leadership, Libya Observer reported. His statement did not mention Saleh.

Libya remains divided between rival authorities in the east and the Government of National Unity in Tripoli, under Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah. The House sits in Benghazi, in the part of the country under Haftar’s control.

What It Means for US Readers

For Washington, the vote creates a new partner in a chamber with a central role in Libya’s election rules. The Boulos message signals that the United States intends to work with the new leadership.

Oil is the main business link between the two countries. On Monday, National Oil Corporation chairman Masoud Suleiman said Waha and North Jalo output could rise by 100,000 barrels a day.

Libya Herald reported that the plan involves a consortium with TotalEnergies of France and Houston-based ConocoPhillips, listed in New York. Investors in such projects depend on stable institutions that can pass budgets and laws.

The US State Department keeps Libya at Level 4, Do Not Travel, citing crime, terrorism, landmines, unrest, kidnapping and armed conflict. Americans in Libya are told to contact the US Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia, for routine consular help.

What Is Not Known

It is not known whether Saleh will accept the result or challenge it, including in court. Libyan outlets had reported no response from him to Tuesday’s vote by Thursday morning.

No court has ruled on the dispute over the quorum and the 98-vote rule change. The positions of the Dbeibah government and of the Tripoli-based High Council of State, an advisory chamber, were not clear.

The allegations that members were coerced remain unproven. The Boulos statement is reported here as published in Arabic by Al-Wasat, because the original post could not be checked.

What Comes Next

Under the new rule, Abdel-Nabi’s term runs for 12 months from his election, until early October 2027. A fresh leadership vote would then be due.

The House must still decide how to handle laws submitted by the UN-brokered 4+4 committee, an item on Saleh’s agenda. The change in Libya’s parliament does not unify the rival governments or set an election date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the new speaker of Libya’s parliament?

Al-Salheen Abdel-Nabi, a member of the House of Representatives for Tobruk, was elected on Tuesday, 6 October. All 110 members present backed him.

Why was Aguila Saleh replaced?

On Monday, 98 of the 102 members present voted to limit the House leadership to 12-month terms. A new leadership was elected the next day.

Does Saleh accept the change?

Saleh called Monday’s session unofficial and without legal effect. Libyan outlets had reported no response from him to Tuesday’s election by Thursday morning.

What did the United States say?

Massad Boulos, an adviser to the US president, congratulated the new leadership on Wednesday, Al-Wasat reported. He said Washington wants unified institutions and successful national elections in Libya.

Can Americans travel to Libya?

The US State Department advises Americans not to travel to Libya for any reason. Routine consular help comes from the US Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia.

Sources: House of Representatives (oath of the new leadership); House of Representatives (speech of the new speaker); House of Representatives (first leadership meeting); US State Department, Libya travel advisory; Al-Wasat (Boulos statement); Al-Wasat (Al-Mabrouk al-Kabir); Libya Herald (Monday session); Libya Herald (leadership vote); Libya Herald (Waha and North Jalo fields); Libya Observer (Saleh statement); Libya Observer (al-Nuwairi statement); Libya Observer (speech and Haftar reaction); Libya Observer (member’s allegations); Al-Marsad (speech) (all accessed 8 October 2026).