UN criticizes new Central Bank governor election by Libyan eastern parliament

TRIPOLI, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- The UN Support Mission in Libya on Wednesday criticized the election of a new Central Bank Governor by the eastern-based House of Representatives.

"The Mission recalls Article 15 of the Libyan political agreement, which presupposes consultation between the House of Representatives and the Higher Council of State before selecting the incumbents of sovereign leadership position," the Mission said.

"The UN affirms the unification of institution is ultimate goals that all Libyans should aspire and this includes refraining from taking unilateral actions," it added.

Libya is suffering a political division between eastern and western governments, including two divided Central Banks.

On Tuesday, the eastern parliament selected Mohamed Shoukry as the new Central Bank Governor.

Abdurrahman Swehli, the head of Tripoli-based Higher Council of State, rejected the parliament's election, saying the Council is "dealing with the House of Representatives as an institution legitimized only by the political agreement."

Parliament member Isa Arebi, however, said the Parliament's selection "was done according to laws and regulations in Libya. It is legal and legitimate."

"How can the parliament be asked to act according to Article 15 of the unenforced Political Agreement, when the Parliament is about to introduce amendments to it according to the UN-proposed road map?" Arebi told Xinhua on Wednesday.

Libyan political parties have signed a UN-sponsored agreement to end the state of division in the North African country. However, it remains politically divided amid insecurity and chaos. Enditem