Libya: Potential for Restoring Monarchy Debated Amidst Civil Unrest
The National Meeting for Unity and Peace in Tripoli on November 15th, brought together nearly a thousand Libyans to reignite the discussion of restoring Libya’s constitutional monarchy by reactivating the 1951 Independence Constitution. This document, the first of its kind in the region, is viewed as the only legitimate framework for stabilizing the country after years of instability, with Crown Prince Mohammed El-Senussi as a unifying figure above partisan politics. For the United Kingdom, which played a key role in Libya’s original independence and has significant strategic interests tied to the country’s stability, supporting a Libyan-led process to restore institutional legitimacy and national unity is crucial. A stable Libya based on the 1951 framework would not only benefit regional security, but also advance the UK’s long-term diplomatic, security, and economic objectives.
John Q. Hosedrinker