The Interior Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Libya, Emad Al-Trabelsi, has declared the ministry’s plan to remove all military formations from Tripoli following the holy month of Ramadan. In a press conference in Tripoli, Al-Trabelsi refuted claims of ordering gunfire at the Ras Ajdir border with Tunisia, stating the ministry’s request for police withdrawal from the crossing was to protect lives and property.
Al-Trabelsi underscored that the security forces at the Ras Ajdir crossing are equipped only with light weaponry. This statement comes amid his February announcement of an initiative to expel military and security groups from the capital, including notable factions such as the Rada/Special Deterrence Force (SDF), Stability Support Apparatus, 444 Brigade, Public Security, and Judicial Police. The deadline for this evacuation is set for after Ramadan, marking a critical effort to reduce tensions in Tripoli.
Additionally, Al-Trabelsi stressed the government’s focus on law enforcement and accountability, particularly concerning the Abu Salim massacre. He is personally overseeing the investigation, guided by the Tripoli Security Directorate. The inquiry includes detailed crime scene analysis, fingerprinting, and weapon confiscation, aiming to reconstruct the events leading to the massacre.
Following the Abu Salim incident, which resulted in ten fatalities, Khalil Wahiba’s Tripoli Security Directorate is conducting an in-depth investigation, in cooperation with the Public Prosecution and Criminal Investigation Office, to ascertain the specifics of the crime. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya has called for an independent and comprehensive investigation into the massacre, urging measures to avert further violence.
This initiative comes amid a political deadlock that challenges efforts to unify the nation and progress towards peace. The difficulty in managing various security forces and armed factions complicates the path to stability and democracy, highlighting the significance of the Interior Minister’s plan to secure Tripoli and advance toward a more peaceful, democratic Libya.
