End of an Era: Libya’s Parliament Ousts Speaker Agila Saleh After 12 Years

​Libya’s political landscape has experienced a seismic shift following the removal of longtime parliament speaker Agila Saleh, who has been unseated after a 12-year tenure. Lawmakers in the eastern-based House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to replace the 82-year-old veteran politician with Al-Salhin Abdelnabi al-Obeidi, according to an official announcement by the parliament’s spokesperson.

​Saleh, a staunch political ally of eastern military strongman Khalifa Haftar, saw his influence wane as internal power dynamics shifted. Analysts note that his departure highlights a broader consolidation of power by Haftar’s inner circle, particularly military commander Saddam Haftar, who has been aggressively centralizing decision-making in eastern Libya.

​The high-level leadership change coincides with a renewed diplomatic push by the United States to revive stalled political processes and unify Libya’s fractured institutions. Since the 2011 uprising and the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya remains deeply fractured between the UN-recognized administration in Tripoli and the rival eastern-backed government. With internal parliamentary rules recently amended to cap leadership terms, the ousting of Saleh could redefine the balance of power in the war-torn nation as fresh diplomatic solutions take shape.

ADVERTISEMENT

​Libyan Parliament Speaker Election Report

​This video provides visual coverage and details regarding the legislative session where Al-Salhin Abdelnabi al-Obeidi was chosen to succeed Agila Saleh.