The Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba defended the presence of armed militias in Libya. He described them as “sons and pride of the Libyans who defended their honour and sanctities in the streets, against the aggressors and those who seek to sabotage Libya.”
Dbaiba stated in a podcast interview, “It is clear that the Libyan people have had enough of new transitional governments, and we want to move towards stability with fair laws that do not exempt anyone in Libya, ensuring equality for all Libyans. We want to enter elections after establishing fair laws, then we will discuss with a new parliament the formation of a new government to hand over power. I reject handing over power to any temporary government.”
He affirmed that the militias in Libya have entered the military and security sectors over the past two years. He claimed that “those who say they are rogue forces are dreaming about their past actions, that all militias have surpassed.”
Dbaiba added that weapons have been widespread in Libya since 2011. “We do not blame anyone who owns a weapon today. Militias may pose a threat to Libya or may not.”
He further explained that the militias have started training in weapons, and dealing with citizens in the police and army. “We are patient with them because they are our sons, and we cannot abandon them. They were initially built on a militia basis, but today they have become an important part of Libya’s security.”
“We lead them, and they respect our orders, follow the Libyan army and the Chief of Staff, and listen to the Supreme Commander and the Minister of Defence,” he said.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.