The Libyan Prime Minister-designate, Fathi Bashagha is endeavouring to obtain international support that would give him legitimacy in the face of the Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba.
In its report, the British newspaper “The Times” revealed details of a failed attempt by Bashagha, who was appointed by the Libyan Parliament earlier this year, to prompt the British government to recognize him as the legitimate PM of Libya.
Mark Fullbrook, the Chief of Staff of Downing Street was revealed to have pressured British ministers including then Foreign Minister, Liz Truss to recognise Fathi Bashagha as the legitimate Prime Minister of Libya, according to The Times.
Fullbrook, who previously ran his own lobbying company, was pressing the UK government to diverge from the official stance taken by the UN and US, and recognise Bashagha.
In June, Fullbrook organised a visit to London for Bashagha that had not been approved by the Foreign Office. It prompted an intervention from the British Ambassador, Caroline Hurndall, who said Bashagha was not a guest of the British government.
During the trip, Fullbrook organised a meeting and photo opportunity with two cabinet ministers, Nadhim Zahawi and Kwasi Kwarteng.
Fullbrook, 60, also lobbied Truss, and Priti Patel, then Home Secretary. He told ministers his client could grant access to Libyan oil fields, and stop the flow of migrants into Europe in exchange for recognition.
Fullbrook told The Sunday Times that he had recused himself from all foreign policy and security decisions relating to the country. His spokesman said: “Mr Fullbrook has not, and will not be involved in any government decisions relating to Libya.”
Between April and June, he was paid via his lobbying company Fullbrook Strategies to wage a foreign campaign on Bashagha’s behalf, targeting ministers, Downing Street officials, and diplomats.
Fullbrook described Bashagha to ministers as the country’s “legitimate Prime Minister” and offered help on energy, security, and migration matters. Those he contacted included Truss, Patel, and John Bew, then a defence and foreign policy adviser in Downing Street.
He also arranged for Bashagha to meet Tobias Ellwood, Chairman of the Defence Select Committee, who posed with him and held a pamphlet detailing the “roadmap to recovery”. Ellwood says he met Bashagha in a personal capacity.
In another report, the Guardian said that the Labour Party has claimed Fullbrook’s position as Downing Street Chief of Staff is “no longer tenable” after his attempts to influence British foreign policy.
This comes despite London’s neutral policy over the current political situation in Libya.
As a result, Labour called for a full and independent investigation into the complicity of British officials in facilitating Bashagha’s visit. As well as violating the UK diplomatic position, regarding the situation in Libya.
Observers believe that Bashagha will continue to secure Western support for his government, “even if it requires concluding deals and agreements that allow Westerners to control Libyan wealth.” They also warned that such a step will further exacerbate the Libyan crisis.
Last week, Dbaiba signed a memorandum of cooperation with Turkey for oil and gas exploration, in exchange for Ankara’s support for his Cabinet.
Observers noted that the same scenario would happen if Bashagha took power in Libya, or won the Presidential elections – should they be held. This is given the support Turkey has given him during his time as the Minister of Interior in the previous government.