Lieutenant-General, Faraj Al-Sawsa’ a member of Libya’s 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) said that the outgoing Government of National Unity (GNU), headed by Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba failed to take any steps to unify the military institution.
Al-Sawsa’ added in statements to the Sputnik news agency, that the JMC has nothing to do with the current political dispute between the GNU and the Prime Minister-designate, Fathi Bashagha. “The Commission is working according to its specific tasks, based on the outcomes of the Berlin Conferences. These include the withdrawal of mercenaries, and the collection of weapons. The Commission does not interfere in the political scene,” he explained.
He noted that the JMC had earlier addressed the Presidential Council and the GNU, with the need to disarm militia’s, “but the GNU has not taken any step in this matter.”
“Libya’s government has not taken any positive step regarding the plan to dismantle militias’, but it is under the control of these militias,” the senior officer said.
He pointed out that Libya’s JMC seeks to unify the military institution, “but the step requires a political decision. We hope the Bashagha’s government will take these steps. The committee is hoping that Bashagha will unify the military and security institutions, and withdraw weapons from the militias,” Al-Sawsa’ concluded.
Last week, Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, Ageela Saleh announced that they have unanimously appointed Fathi Bashagha as the new Prime Minister.
Bashagha hails from the city of Misrata, and was the Minister of Interior of the previous Government of National Accord (GNA). He was a member of the Misrata Military Council, and fought against Muammar Gaddafi during the 2011 uprising.
Dbaiba announced in a speech that he would not hand over power until after elections. “Only elections will end the transitional stages,” he claimed.