Member of the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR), Mohamed Al-Abani, called for an end to the control of armed groups and militias over the capital, Tripoli.
The Libyan Member of Parliament (MP) said in statements that the solution to the Libyan crisis is not to move the capital from Tripoli, but rather to end the presence of armed groups there.
Al-Abani explained that the crisis always lies in the Libyan Capital, where central decisiona are issued. “The interests of everyone, including the armed groups, are linked to the capital because the decision is issued centrally,” he concluded.
Libyan Prime Minister-designate, Fathi Bashagha, said that he has no immediate plans to rule from Tripoli. This comes after his failed attempt to enter last week sparked clashes, and fears of a return to civil war.
In an interview with the Associated Press (AP), Bashagha said that his government will work from its headquarters in Sirte. Sirte is a Libyan city on the Mediterranean coast about halfway between the country’s East and West.
Rival administrations from either side of Libya claim to be its legitimate rulers, until elections are held.
Describing last week’s events, Bashagha said he had entered Tripoli in a civilian car, and that those escorting him were unarmed. A young man, Ahmed Alashban, was killed during the incident. Bashagha identified him as a supporter who was defending him from militiamen.
“We do blame ourselves for having entered the city,” he said. “I had said that I would not enter the capital unless conditions were 100% favourable.”
He concluded that his own government is looking to hold nationwide elections within 14 months.
Bashagha also called on the country’s Central Bank, torn by years of civil war, to provide his government with the budget that was approved by the Parliament.