Al-Koni Tells Intelligence Personnel Not to Implement Menfi’s Decision, Says Agency’s Legal Status Remains Unchanged
Libya – Presidential Council member Moussa Al-Koni has addressed officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers and all personnel of the Libyan Intelligence Service, asserting that the decision issued by Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed Al-Menfi concerning the agency’s leadership lacks a proper legal basis and was neither adopted through the prescribed mechanism nor supported by the required consensus.
Decision Lacks Legal Basis
In his message, Al-Koni said the decision concerning the leadership of the Intelligence Service was “devoid of legal basis and produces no legal effect,” stressing that the agency’s legal and administrative status should remain unchanged until the proper procedures are completed and an agreement is reached on its leadership in accordance with the rules governing the Presidential Council.
He called on the agency’s personnel to continue performing their duties with professionalism and discipline, while refraining from complying with any administrative or financial instructions that could affect the agency’s legal status or institutional unity outside the applicable legal framework.
Dispute Over Menfi’s Decision
Al-Koni’s message follows a decision by Al-Menfi to change the leadership of the Libyan Intelligence Service and appoint Abdelmajid Mlaiqta as its head, a move that prompted objections from within the Presidential Council because it was not adopted through consensus among its members.
The objection rests on the position that the Presidential Council is a collective authority and that sovereign decisions of this nature cannot be made unilaterally by its chairman.
Al-Koni had earlier rejected a statement from Al-Menfi’s office claiming that the decisions had been approved unanimously. He said he had participated remotely in the meeting, opposed the proposals to appoint a new intelligence chief and chief of staff, and that no consensus had been reached.
Aguila Saleh Rejects the Move
House of Representatives Speaker Aguila Saleh has also rejected any change to the leadership of the Intelligence Service outside the legally prescribed procedures, warning against the politicisation of sovereign security institutions or their subjection to faits accomplis.
In letters addressed to a number of foreign intelligence services, Saleh said that the appointment or dismissal of the intelligence chief requires approval by the House of Representatives in a formal session attended by at least 120 lawmakers, in accordance with the legislative amendments cited by parliament.
He maintained that the existing leadership remains legally valid until all required procedures are completed.
Partial Control of Agency Premises
Amid the legal and political dispute, Abdelmajid Mlaiqta and Abdelshafie Al-Juwaiti have taken control of several premises belonging to the Intelligence Service in western Tripoli.
However, the agency’s main headquarters in the Al-Furnaj district of eastern Tripoli remains outside their control and is still held by former intelligence chief Hussein Al-Ayeb.
The situation reflects the continued administrative and security division within the agency and indicates that Al-Menfi’s decision has not been fully implemented on the ground.
Call for Institutional Discipline
Al-Koni concluded by urging Intelligence Service personnel to preserve institutional discipline and the unity of the agency in a manner that protects state security and the country’s higher interests, as the controversy over the legality of Al-Menfi’s decision continues to intensify.
