Decision making in the new assembly will require a two-thirds majority to pass legislation, which may see emerging alliances between the main blocs in order to avoid gridlock. The chief task of the incoming assembly is to appoint an interim government and steer the country until new elections can be held on the basis of a new constitution which is to be drafted by 60 selected members of the new assembly.
In a press conference on 25 July, Finance Minister Hassan Zaqlam stated that while the overall security situation in Libya had improved in recent months, many foreign companies still had reservations over resuming work in Libya, which in turn was limiting the expenditure of the redevelopment budget.
Tripolitania and Tripoli
On 26 July, a media report stated that Tripoli’s security operations command attributed Tripoli’s improved security to greater coordination among rebel units, official and semi-official state security apparatuses. While the overall security situation within the capital has seen relatively few incidents in recent months, other reports have indicated that recent weeks have seen an increase in car-jacking in Tripoli’s affluent Serraj district and a general perception of an increase in petty crime.
On the 29 July, members of the High Security Committee, with the help of the National Security Directorate, stormed a Security Support building located in Bi’ir Al Asta Milad area near the capital. According to the report the raid freed eighteen illegally detained persons who had been tortured. Guards protecting the building were arrested.
A recent World Health Organization (WHO) study found that 21,000 out of Misratah’s population of 250,000 are suffering from psychological trauma. Dr Mustafa Al Shagmani, a clinical psychologist who leads a team of mental health specialists in Misratah claimed that his team have already treated around 700 patients in Misratah, which is believed to be one of the worst affected areas in the country.