The Chairman of the Defence and National Security Committee of the Libyan Parliament, Talal Al-Maihoub decried the role played by the UN Secretary-General’s Adviser on Libya (SASG), Stephanie Williams. He claimed that “she seeks to obstruct the intra-Libyan solution, in order to keep the course of the Libyan crisis under the control of the UN mission.”
In a press statement, Al-Maihoub said: “Despite these attempts, the new government will enter Tripoli.” He noted that “the current confusion in Libya is supported by Williams.”
“Williams wants to control any solution in her hands, especially in light of the allegations regarding the UN mission and its relationship with the Dbaiba government,” he stressed. As well as warning against, “discussing laws or any matters within the competence of the Parliament.”
Al-Maihoub called for “an investigation by the Secretary-General of the United Nations regarding the bias of the UN mission to the party that controls the money.”
“Williams does not want the solution and the agreement that took place between the Libyans, from which the new government headed by Fathi Bashagha emerged.”
Notably, Libya’s Prime Minister-designate, Fathi Bashagha stated that he intends to enter Tripoli this week, “in the most peaceful way possible.” He insisted that his authorities wouldn’t be involved in “any violence or conflict.”
In press statements to the Financial Times, Bashagha confirmed: “We will be arriving in Tripoli in the next few days, and there will be no other parallel government. The reason why we have not entered Tripoli just yet is to avoid what you have pointed out [the risk of conflict].”
He stated his objective was to lead the nation to Parliamentary and Presidential elections, without giving a timeframe. Bashagha stressed that despite Prime Minister, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba remaining in Tripoli, “this does not mean that it will stop me from starting my job in Tripoli in another location.”
Bashagha noted that the plan for elections has been “clarified” to the UN, and “we’re waiting for a public announcement to clarify their position.”
Speaking to Newsweek, Bashagha made the case for his new government, “The government I have formed came about as a direct result of the previous government’s failure to hold transparent elections. I have committed to holding both Presidential and Parliamentary elections within the timeframe agreed upon between the Libyan Parliament and the High Council of State (HSC).”