He said limiting the presence of state institutions in the capital “makes it a target to those eyeing power or wealth.”

Koni has been promoting the idea for around a month now, holding various meetings with figures from Misrata, as well as with international officials.

He met on Sunday with civil society activists and senior officials from Tripoli.

A statement from his office said “he realizes the extent of the suffering Tripoli is suffering because central state institutions are located in the capital.”

The meeting tackled the benefits of a decentralized system “to fend off threats against the capital.”

Koni recalled that Libya used to be governed by a provincial system. Such a system is able to achieve justice, fairly distribute state revenues, immediately respond to demands, and impose security and stability throughout the country.

Libya has been governed by various systems since its independence in 1951. It tried the federal, provincial and municipal systems until centralization was introduced after the ouster and killing of longtime ruler Moammar al-Gaddafi in 2011.

The Presidential Council is seeking to reinstate the provincial system that was in place before 1969 with the aim to “limit struggles over power.”

Politicians, however, believe that ending centralization demands a new constitution and wide political agreement, as well as stability at state institutions.

They told Asharq Al-Awsat that ever since assuming power, the council had declared various initiatives but failed to achieve any of them.