Prince Idris of Libya calls for restoration of the Libyan monarchy

Prince Idris Abdullah Abed Senussi of Libya has called for the restoration of the country’s 1951 post-independence constitution and the possible reinstatement of a Libyan monarchy. This was first reported earlier this week by the International Monarchist League and the Libya Herald.

Prince Idris Abdullah Abed Senussi of Libya is the grandson of Libya’s last monarch His Majesty King Idris al-Senussi. Prince Idris claims the title of King of Libya and offers to lead the new government; still, he recognises that the re-establishment of the old monarchy can be difficult. “I offer myself to play this role in a transitional phase through which the restructuring and building the state will take place,” said Prince Idris.

A young Benghazian carrying King Idris's photo. Support of the Senussi dynasty has traditionally been strong in Libya. Photo: Maher27777 via Wikimedia Commons.

Prince Idris met the international press in the Tunisian capital last Thursday. To the press, Prince Idris Abdullah Abed Senussi said: “The safest and most effective way to a swift resolution that satisfies everybody in Libya is to resort to the 1951 Constitution because it is the only constitution that represents constitutional and legal legitimacy in the country.”

Although it will become difficult for Libya to become a monarchy again, it is not impossible. Prince Idris wants the Libyan people to be able to choose whether they want to get the monarchy back. The Prince, therefore, does not want to force monarchist reforms in the country, but he wants a referendum, after peace has been created in the unstable African nation. As the Prince said, he wants to “leave the freedom of choice to the Libyan people.”

Royal Palace of Tripoli. Photo: Paolocason & hristopher Buyers via Wikimedia Commons.

According Prince Idris, an election next year will not be possible. Still the restoration of the country’s 1951 post-independence constitution would create peace so there can be held democratic elections later. The 1951 constitution will give the three historical districts of Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Fezzan more independence, which can stop the rivalry between different ethnic groups.

Prince Idris has said that he is willing to act as temporary head of state. He added, however, that if he were head of state he would not enter into political life and that being head of state would not include being head of government. This would be something that, in practice, would give Libya a temporary monarchy until elections have been held and a possible referendum on a future permanent Libyan monarchy.