Following a recent statement by the Libyan Scholars' Association (rabitat ulama libya) condemning calls for federalism in Libya, the Dar al-Ifta has issued its own opinion on the matter.

The country's highest religious advisory body, which is headed by Sadeq al-Ghariani, echoed the statement of the Scholars' Association:

The latter part of the statement focusses on what the government should do in this period, saying it must "start the local elections, set up local municipalities and send them the required budgets."

Although the statement condemns those calling for federalism in Libya, it does concede that centralisation has been “harmful” to the country, and has encouraged “widespread administrative and financial corruption”.

The statement comes after eastern federalists in Ajdabiya unilaterally declared an "autonomous government" in late October, which was dismissed by the General National Congress (GNC) as "illegitimate".

The group has previously issued a series of demands that include the breaking-up of the Dar al-Ifta into three separate bodies with responsibility for the three main regions of Libya.