On Friday, the Presidential Council of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) decided to suspend the Minister of Interior, Fathi Bashagha, from his duties and ordered an investigation on him to be conducted within the next 3 days.
In a statement, the Presidential Council decided to investigate Bashagha over his handling of demonstrations and his failure to protect protesters from a violent crackdown. The investigation will look into Bashagha’s provision of permits and protection to demonstrators, and assess the statements he issued regarding the demonstrations that took place over the past days in Tripoli and other cities.
The Council assigned the Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry, Brigadier Khaled Ahmed Al-Tijani Mazen, to take over the ministry’s duties. He has been granted with all the sovereign and administrative powers as well as competencies of a minister.
Last Sunday protesters rallied in the streets of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, to demonstrate against deteriorating living conditions and corruption. The protesters demanded that the Government of National Accord (GNA) be replaced over the country’s poor situation which they called a “slow death” due to collapsing public services, corruption and economic pressures. On their way to central Tripoli’s Martyrs Square, the protesters were scattered by gunfire.
On Monday, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the excessive use of force made by the security personnel in Tripoli.