Libyan MP, Saeed Imgheib said that the presence of armed militias in Libya, especially those receiving foreign support threaten the safety and security of the country.
“The presence of militias in any country threatens civil peace at any moment. Stability will not be achieved for any country in which there are militias sponsored and supported by foreign countries under the cover of a government, whether it be called legitimate or consensual,” Imgheib said.
He added that elections are the only solution and the if they are obstructed, Libya would face the same fate as Lebanon. This is in reference to the recent clashes erupting in Beirut.
On Thursday, Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Libyan Parliament, Yousef Al-Agouri stressed the need for all foreign forces and mercenaries to leave the country.
In a virtual meeting with members of the Turkish National Assembly, Al-Agouri called on Ankara to play a positive role in withdrawing its forces from Libya. He also urged Turkey to work on creating the appropriate conditions for Libya’s stability, and ensuring the success of the upcoming elections.
Libya has been wracked by chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. A 2019 assault on Tripoli by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) resulted in the introduction of mercenaries in Libya’s civil war.
Turkey supplied military personnel and equipment, as well as thousands of mercenaries from Syria to the former Government of National Accord (GNA) against the LNA. Ankara has refused to consider the departure of its military personnel and mercenaries, claiming they are covered by bilateral agreements with Libya.
Last month, UN Special Envoy to Libya, Jan Kubis said that starting the withdrawal of foreign fighters from the country would be a major step for Libya. The UN estimates that there were at least 20,000 foreign fighters and mercenaries in Libya, including Syrians, Sudanese, and Chadian nationals.
