Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) and the House of Representatives are discussing the formation of a new body to lead the Libyan army. As proposed, the Supreme Council of Armed Forces would comprise Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, House President Aguila Saleh, army Gen. Khalifa Hifter and two members of the Presidency Council. If the idea gains traction, it could bring an end to the current impasse between the GNA and the legislature, which was made worse by an August no-confidence vote in the House of Representatives over al-Sarraj's Cabinet picks. The decision has since forced al-Sarraj's administration to build a new list of candidates.

Hifter's role in Libya's new government has long been a point of contention, particularly among GNA supporters in Misrata. However, the council under consideration could deflect some of their concerns by acting as a check on Hifter's influence over the military. But even if the council is formed, it will not ease tension between Hifter and Misrata. After all, the general believes the Misrata militias are supportive of the extremists he is presently combating in Benghazi. So far Hifter's most stalwart backer has been Egypt, which is concerned about jihadists operating in Libya and the possibility of the country forming an Islamist-led government.

Meanwhile, it is still unclear who will be chosen for the council's final two spots. One rumor suggests the candidates will be Ahmed Matiq and Ali al-Qatrani. The former is al-Sarraj's deputy prime minister and a representative of Misrata, while the latter hails from the east and boycotted the Presidency Council until the House of Representatives' no confidence vote last month. He is also Hifter's close ally. Of course, there are other potential candidates, though whether Defense Minister Mahdi al-Bargathi is among them is unclear. Al-Bargathi is not yet a member of the Presidency Council, but he belonged to the Cabinet before it was rejected and has served as a counterweight — and fierce rival — to Hifter. As such, he has gained far more popular support in the country's east and west than the divisive general has.

Libya desperately needs a unified government at the head of its military, something the GNA's formal establishment (and its approval by the House of Representatives) would bring the country closer to achieving. The creation of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces could be a step in that direction, should it come to pass in spite of the numerous pitfalls in its path.