The Libyan Parliament-designated Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha paid an unannounced visit to Tunisia to discuss the situation in Libya. This comes as incumbent PM, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba continues to refuse to cede power, sources told Libya Review.
During the visit, Bashagha will discuss the future of Dbaiba’s Government of National Unity (GNU), and ways to reach a compromise. He will hold “important” meetings with the new UN Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily.
The PM-designate has failed to achieve results since the Libyan Parliament appointed him earlier this year.
According to the sources, Bashagha will meet with a number of leaders of Libya’s western region, in order to “reach an understanding about Dbaiba’s work in Tripoli.” Especially leaders from Misrata and Al-Zawiya. This is evidence that the PM is still hopeful of finding both international and local support, in order to assume power.
The visit has led to several questions, about its true motive. Observers linked this to the recent energy deal signed with Turkey, which further cemented Ankara’s support for the GNU.
On Wednesday, the Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, Ageela Saleh asked the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres “not to recognize the MoU’s concluded with Turkey.”
In a letter addressed to Guterres, Saleh stressed that the “GNU had expired, as it had failed to perform its duties.” He added that the agreement violated the provisions of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF).