Interview with Libya Presidential candidate Abdul-Majid Saif al-Nasr

By Vanessa Tomassini.

“My name is Abdul-Majid Saif al-Nasr. I belong to the Awlad Suleiman tribe and a diplomatic and political family that ruled Fezzan under the federal system until 1963. I was born in Sebha in the south of the country in 1957 and grew up there. In 2011, I was chosen as a member of the National Transitional Council for Sebha Governorate and head of the Supreme Security Committee, affiliated with the council. In 2012, I was elected as a member of the General National Congress for the city of Sebha. I was a member of the State Consultative Council emanating the Skhirat Agreement issued in December 2015. I served as Ambassador of Libya to the Kingdom of Morocco from April 2014 to February 2018. On May 26, 2020, I received from Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh the credential as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Morocco and special envoy of the House of Representatives for the Arab Maghreb countries”. Abdul Majid Saif Al-Nasr, a candidate for the Libya presidency, tells us about himself after presenting his candidacy to the electoral office of Sabha.

What’s your position regarding national reconciliation?

“I consider myself as the leader of the national reconciliation process. Many people are surprised by my political orientation. I am with the national monarchy, with the national September, and with the national February. I am with the country, which must be on strong foundations in terms of security, military, political, economic, and social according to the public interest. The stage requires a common ground on which we stand, bringing every one of different directions, spectra, and cultural components on one unified land with Tripoli as its capital. Everyone’s participation in the construction process through several files, and the participation of the men of the former mass regime, and their important role in serving their homeland, Libya, is a duty for everyone.”

Who may you ally with to pass the second round?

“Our alliances will be with everyone who looks at the interest of Libya to serve its people.”

What’s your political program?

“We have an integrated national project for reconciliation and transitional justice that will lead us to a stable, sovereign, and pioneering state among states. Rejection of the presence of foreign forces and mercenaries on Libyan territory and the sovereignty of Libya is a red line that does not negotiate with any party. Unifying the military and security services, securing the borders, and dealing with the immigration file is among our first steps in the project to preserve the country’s security. We intend to ensure and strengthen international relations with all neighboring countries and Arab and regional countries alike, following the supreme interest of the Libyan state. We intend to activate the stalled projects while supporting the equitable distribution of wealth through broader powers for the governorates. With the government’s support, we will choose in a way that represents all Libyans and without any favoritism. Consolidating the principle of human rights and supporting youth, women, people of determination, artists, intellectuals, and journalists is a national duty because they are influential leaders. Our goal is to build society as a whole. We are working on an integrated project that supports civil society institutions and the Scout Foundation, a factory for patriotic men to establish a civil and democratic state. We are establishing a modern educational and health project built on a real and thoughtful foundation for their advancement. The bulk of the Libyan oil revenues will be allocated to them. We have a comprehensive economic development project so that Libya stands on the foundations of a strong state through the file of alternative energies, local industries, and smart cities.”

What’s your opinion on the electoral law?

“The law is the law of the Libyan House of Representatives issued by the womb of the legislative body elected by the Libyan people. Aguila Saleh, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has approved it. In addition, the law has been issued in the middle of a session under the dome of Parliament”.

Which Foreign countries are supporting you?

“There is no external support from any country, and the people’s support for me is the source of everything at this important political stage in Libya history.”