MoLG: Mayors and members of municipal councils not competent to participate in Geneva dialogue Tripoli, 14.

01.2015 (Lana) Ministry of Local Government of the NSG stressed its compliance with the decision of the GNC about Geneva talks, since it is the supreme authority, and it is the one delegated to represent the Libyan people in the political affair. It pointed out that anyone who takes part in the dialogue, be they mayors or municipal members would only represent themselves. According to the statement released Wednesday by MoLG, it cautioned international organizations and bodies inviting to the dialogue to be mindful of the legal authorities and competence of those invited to the dialogue, in order not to subject the unauthorized invitees to legal accountability. The ministry warned in its statement against what it described as slipping into a serious juncture which is circumventing the will of the people and contradiction of laws and legislations enforce by exercising a sovereign competence by public servants assigned to carry out an executive work such as rendering services to the public. The ministry, being the competent body to follow up and oversee municipalities work, reaffirmed that municipalities are one component of the local administration concerned with the offering of services to the public within their jurisdictions. MoLG pointed out that legislations gave no authorization or competence to municipal councils to exercise political work or diplomatic communication. It explained that municipal councils do not represent the will of the citizens nor it represents them in the political affair or in taking strategic decisions relevant to the fate of the homeland. MoLG however, welcomed in its statement any dialogue that is aimed at building the state and safeguarding its unity and resources of its people. =Lana=