Libyan Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha confirmed that he will start studying all options and measures necessary to take power in Tripoli, “by force of law.” He expressed his aspiration to work fruitfully with the legislative authority.
In his speech after his government was sworn in before the Libyan Parliament, Bashagha condemned the “unjustified” escalation by some individuals following the closure of the country’s airspace.
He also condemned the armed attack against some of his ministers, as they travelled by land to the city of Tobruk. He called for the immediate release of the detained ministers. These are Foreign Minister Hafez Qadour, Minister of Culture Salha Al-Drouqi, and Minister of Technical Education, Faraj Khalil.
Bashagha added that his government “will work with all its might to end the transitional stage.” He confirmed that the government will support the electoral process in accordance with constitutional mechanisms approved between the Parliament and the High Council of State (HCS).
The PM stressed that “there are those who wish to drag us into war and fighting, and we will not give them the opportunity. We will not shed a single drop of blood, and we will not allow them to continue tampering with the country indefinitely.”
He pointed out that he was satisfied with the results of the democratic process, and the handover of power in the past.
On Tuesday, the Libyan Parliament ushered in a new transitional government for the country, headed by Bashagha. 92 of the 101 lawmakers in attendance approved the decision, in a live broadcast from the city of Tobruk.
The new Libyan government includes three deputy prime ministers, 29 ministers, and six ministers of state. Two women are in the Cabinet, overseeing the Ministry of Culture and Arts, and holding the position of State Minister for Women’s Affairs.
Bashagha appointed Ahmed Houma, the Second Deputy Speaker of the Parliament to lead the Ministry of Defense, and Brig. Essam Abu Zreiba, from the western city of Zawiya as Interior Minister. Former Ambassador to the European Union, Hafez Qadour was named Foreign Minister.
The appointment of Bashagha last month, a former Libyan Interior Minister from the western city of Misrata, is part of a new Parliamentary roadmap. It also involves several constitutional amendments, and for elections to be held in 14 months.
The move deepened divisions among rival factions, and raised fears that fighting could return after more than a year and a half of relative calm. Opposing armed groups have been mobilising in Tripoli over recent weeks, as the country’s search for peace and a unified central government remains elusive.
The outgoing Libyan Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba has previously warned that the appointment of a new interim government could lead to war and chaos in the country. He renewed his pledge to only hand power over to an elected government. He also announced a plan that is likely to be unrealistic, which is to hold elections in June.