On Monday, the head of the Libyan Supreme Council of Sheikhs and Elders, Saleh Al-Fandi, condemned the attacks on peaceful protesters in the capital, Tripoli. He pointed out that the worst is still to come in the next days, with more civilians to be killed in the capital, under the blind eye of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
The killings happened on Sunday, when a crowd of protesters heading towards Tripoli’s Green Square, which is situated near the headquarters of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, were shot by militias affiliated with the Interior Ministry of Government of National Accord (GNA).
Protestors were chanting slogans such as “the people want to overthrow the regime” and “tell Sarraj to go”. During their attempt to demonstrate in front of the Naval Command in Abusetta, where the temporary headquarters of the Presidential Council and the headquarters of the Turkish military advisors are based, the militiamen shot them.
Al-Fandi held the UN Acting Envoy in Libya, Stephanie Williams, responsible for the killing of peaceful protesters and ignoring what he considered to be “war crimes”. He called on the UN mission to play its role and immediately intervene to stop the repression of civilian demonstrators in Tripoli by Minister of Interior Fathi Bashagha’s militia.
“Under what law did the Interior Ministry allow you to kill peaceful protesters? Where are the quick data, Williams, or are you still seeing with one eye?” Al-Fandi wondered.
He revealed that the so-called “Special Deterrent Force” militia of the Government of National Accord (GNA) had withdrawn from the city of Tarhuna to head to Tripoli and participate in the killing of protestors on Sunday. The Special Deterrent Force, also known as Al-Rada is Bashagha’s key ally in Tripoli.
The head of the Supreme Council of Sheikhs and Elders also denounced the militia’s attack on citizens’ homes, assaulting them, killing them, looting and stealing their properties.