The Libyan Presidential Council has urged for consensus by the House of Representatives and the High Council of State on a constitutional basis for elections to be held on December 24.

Member of the Presidential Council (PC) Musa al-Koni says the Presidential Council can issue a presidential decree backed by the force of law to adopt a constitutional rule for the upcoming elections in December, in consultation with several parties.

Presidency Council member, Abdalla Al-Lafi, in his capacity as the Supreme Commander of the Libyan Army, participated yesterday in the Forum of the Defence and National Security Committee in the House of Representatives (HoR) with military leaders of the army.

Libyan Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba has told the Presidency Council that it is within his and not their authority to nominate the Minister of Defence.

The Presidency Council, in its role as Supreme Commander of the Libyan Army, called yesterday on the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba, to nominate a Minister of Defence by 4 July.

Presidency Council has denounced an Italian invitation to Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush to hold a reconciliation forum in Italy without prior consultations with the country’s leadership.

The Head of the Presidential Council (PC) Mohammed Menfi, stated that the reopening of the coastal road of Sirte-Misrata satisfies the implementation of one of the most relevant provisions of the political agreement.

The statement came after forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar said they have taken control of a border crossing with Algeria.

Khalid Al – Zaidi, the lawyer for Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, has disputed reports that his client met with the British newspaper The Times and plans to run in the Libyan elections later this year.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the late Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi, may run in upcoming presidential elections in the country despite currently being in hiding, according to aides.