The dispute began when the media office of Presidential Council President Mohamed al-Menfi announced that the council had unanimously approved the appointment of a new intelligence chief during an official meeting, describing the decision as part of the council's constitutional authority to oversee sovereign institutions.

The announcement was quickly challenged by Presidential Council member Moussa al-Koni, who publicly rejected the claim that consensus had been reached. In official letters sent to oversight and financial institutions, al-Koni said the proposed appointment had not been presented to him in accordance with the council's legal procedures and that he had neither reviewed nor endorsed the decision.

"The Presidential Council operates through collective consensus as stipulated in the Libyan Political Agreement," al-Koni said in the correspondence. He argued that any decision issued without the approval of all council members would lack legal validity.

Al-Koni also cautioned government agencies against implementing administrative or financial measures linked to the disputed appointment, particularly any changes affecting the intelligence service's financial authorities. He urged employees of the General Intelligence Service to continue performing their duties under the existing administrative structure until agreed legal procedures were completed, warning that unilateral actions could undermine institutional stability.

The Presidential Council maintained its position, stating that the meeting was conducted in accordance with applicable legal procedures and that all members participated, including through remote communication technology where necessary. The council said the decision reflected the lawful exercise of its responsibilities over sovereign institutions.

The disagreement has expanded beyond the Presidential Council. House of Representatives Speaker Aguila Saleh warned against politicizing security institutions, saying intelligence and other sovereign bodies should remain independent of political disputes because of their central role in protecting national security.

Saleh also argued that appointments to sovereign positions should proceed through recognized legislative mechanisms, reflecting broader differences among Libya's political institutions over constitutional authority during the country's prolonged transitional period.

Political observers say the dispute highlights continuing uncertainty surrounding the distribution of powers between Libya's executive and legislative institutions. The absence of detailed implementing mechanisms for resolving disagreements within the Presidential Council has repeatedly contributed to institutional deadlock since the country's political transition began.

In separate remarks, President Mohamed al-Menfi welcomed a recent U.S. initiative concerning Libya but stressed that any international political proposal should proceed through Libya's constitutional institutions and preserve the roles of both the African Union and the United Nations. He also identified irregular migration as a priority issue requiring coordinated African action because of its security, economic, and humanitarian implications.

Speaking to Lamaane News Network, a Tripoli-based constitutional affairs analyst said the latest disagreement demonstrates that unresolved questions over institutional authority continue to complicate Libya's political transition. The analyst noted that reaching lasting consensus on appointments to sovereign positions will remain essential to strengthening state institutions and advancing preparations for long-awaited national elections.