Libyan court rejects petition against Dbeibeh’s presidential bid

By Muhammad Artima
TRIPOLI, Libya (AA) – The Tripoli Court of Appeal on Wednesday rejected an appeal lodged against Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh’s candidacy for Libya’s presidential elections, according to local media.

Former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha was among several presidential hopefuls, who filed an appeal against Dbeibeh’s candidacy.

Opponents of Dbeibeh argue that the prime minister did not resign his post three months before submitting his candidacy as per the election law.

But the Fawasil news platform reported that the Tripoli court rejected Bashagha’s appeal.

According to the same source, Dbeibeh will remain on the list of candidates for the Dec. 24 elections.

Libya’s presidential and parliamentary elections are set to take place on Dec. 24 under an UN-sponsored agreement reached by Libyan political rivals during meetings in Tunisia on Nov. 15, 2020.

Libyans hope that the upcoming elections will contribute to ending an armed conflict that has plagued the oil-rich country for years.