The House of Representatives cancelled Tuesday article 8 of the additional provisions of the Libyan political agreement (LPA), parliament spokesperson, Abdullah Bliheeq, declares.

Bliheeq said parliament members unanimously voted in favor of the cancellation.

Article 8 of the additional provisions of the Libyan political agreement states the following:

“All powers of the senior military, civil and security posts stipulated in the Libyan legislations and laws in force shall be transferred to the Presidency Council of the Council of Ministers immediately upon signing this Agreement. The Presidency Council must take a decision on the occupants of such posts within a period that does not exceed twenty (20) days. In case a decision is not reached during this period, the Presidency Council shall take decisions on new appointments within a period that does not exceed thirty (30) days, while taking into account the Libyan legislations in force”.

Bliheeq added that the MPs also amended article 8 of the LPA, so that appointment of senior security and military posts to be assigned to the reshuffled Presidency Council after the approval of nominees by the House of Representatives.

Article 8 of the LAP states that the Presidency Council shall have the following terms of reference:

a. Assume the functions of the Supreme Commander of the Libyan army.

b. Appointment and removal of the Head of the General Intelligence Service upon the approval of the House of Representatives.

c. Appointment and dismissal of ambassadors and representatives of Libya in international organizations based on a proposal from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, according to Libyan legislations in force.

d. Appointment and removal of senior officials.

Meanwhile, the head of High Council of State dialogue committee, Musa Faraj, has played down the HoR cancellation and amendment of article 8, saying it’s just an opinion.

Faraj told Alnabaa TV that the Libyan political agreement can only be amended by the mutual agreement of both the House of Representatives and the High Council of State.