NSG asks municipal councils not to engage in political and diplomatic issues without assignment or consultation with relevant authorities.

Tripoli, 07.09.2015(Lana) The National Salvation Government (NSG) underscored Monday that no mandate or powers were granted to municipal councils to engage in political or diplomatic activities according to the provision of Law No 59/2013 and its acts and other legislations in force. The government addressed a statement describing it as urgent and important in which it said; " The responsibility of significant issues and strategic decisions related to the fate of the homeland which by nature expresses the will of the citizens is taken care of by sovereign institutions of the GNC and government through the relevant ministries. Commitment to such principles lead to strengthening and enhancement of role of these bodies and facilitate the discharging of their tasks'. The statement further said; municipalities considered one component of the local government in the state and the main goal of adopting the municipal system was to bring services closer to the citizens specially basic services. It said the functions and powers granted to municipalities centred on offering services to the citizens and their main function is to look for the best ways to develop and improve various services and utilities at the municipality. The statement said the duty of the government was to caution to the danger of such acts and attitudes to the fate of the homeland, urging mayors not to engage in these issues without assignment or consultations with the relevant authorities and focus their efforts on improving services to the public. The NSG statement said it is not secret the interventions, jumps and circumvents against the role of the sovereign authorities mandated to engage in the political affair. It said those quarter succeeded in such interventions and circumventing by inviting and engaging incompetent authorities with a view to weaken the position of the said sovereign authorities. The statement cited as an example the invitation of some mayors to take part in political dialogue sessions without any coordination or approval of the competent political bodies which is a violation of legislations in force. In its statement, the National Salvation Government held the municipal councils legally responsible in this issue as they contributed to confusing the political scene and also increased discord among the Libyans and that such uncalculated attitude led to division of ranks instead of rallying the Libyans and unifying their ranks. The NSG expressed its keen interest in unity of the position and safeguarding national principles and realize what all Libyans aspire which is addressing the crisis through effective dialogue that produces solutions which observe state sovereignty and achievement of 17 February revolution. =Lana=