On Tuesday, the Libyan Parliament-designated Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha stated that his government is keen on the security of Tripoli, and the safety of its residents.
Bashagha added that he welcomes the statement issued by the social, political, and security leaders in the Souq Al-Jumaa area. He stressed that his government is looking forward to working with the “wise men who represent the civilized face of the city of Tripoli,” Bashagha tweeted.
“It is time for Tripoli to be freed from the scourge of chaos and corruption,” he noted.
In a statement, notables of the Souq Al-Jumaa Municipality in Tripoli announced their rejection of the dismissal of the Deputy Head of the General Intelligence Service, Mustafa Gaddour.
Gaddour was dismissed by incumbent PM Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba last month, after Bashagha’s lightning visit to Tripoli.
Dbaiba also dismissed his Military Intelligence Chief, Osama Al-Juwaili. He accused Juwaili of “conspiring against state institutions,” and added that he would “deal with these threats to quell sedition.”
Violent clashes erupted after Bashagha failed to enter the capital. His media office said the Prime Minister left Tripoli hours after his arrival, “to stop the bloodshed and ensure the safety and security of the people.” He had entered overnight, accompanied by allied fighters in the hope of taking over the government headquarters. He was quickly met by opposition from forces aligned with Dbaiba.
Bashagha condemned the armed escalation carried out by militias affiliated with Libya’s GNU in Tripoli. He said he was surprised by the “dangerous military escalation.”
He also condemned the endangerment of civilians describing it as “a crime punishable by law.” He stressed that his government cannot “contribute to compromising the security of the capital, and its residents.”
“We came with peace, wisdom, and the priority of the national interest. We defused the strife, and we were not satisfied with keeping pace with the outlaws, and exposing civilians to danger,” Bashagha said in a statement after leaving Tripoli.
The Prime Minister-designate also denounced the “hysterical behaviour” of the outgoing government. “Their use of weapons is conclusive evidence that it is nationally and morally depraved, and does not have any credibility to hold fair and transparent elections,” he explained.
Bashagha stressed that he is “not seeking power,” but rather his administration is “determined to build a democratic civil state with an elected authority. We want a state governed by law and not governed by violence and chaos, sponsored by the outgoing government.”