In Libya, high council of state criticizes house of representatives law to create constitutional court

The passage of a law by the Libyan Parliament to create a Constitutional Court has triggered controversy in war-torn Libya, Anadolu News Agency reports. On [6 December] the East Libya-based House of Representatives passed a law with a majority of votes to establish a Constitutional Court. The move, however, drew fire from the Tripoli-based High Council of State, which acts as a Senate. In a statement, the Council said the move shows "disregard for the principle of separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary". [...] Council chairman, Khaled Al-Mishri, for his part, announced the suspension of communication with Parliament Speaker, Aguila Salah, until the law is revoked. "We do not consider the law establishing a Constitutional Court to be among the legislative powers. Rather, it is a constitutional issue," he said in a statement. [...] The Libyan Parliament, meanwhile, defended the law, saying it "achieves justice and has no effect on the constitutional path". In a statement, Salih termed the law as "an affirmation of the protection of freedoms and rights and an addition of a specialised judiciary on constitutional matters".
Read the full article here: Middle East Monitor