Minister of Interior in Libya’s Parliament-designated government, Major General Essam Abu Zriba stated that security arrangements for the government to enter Tripoli, to carry out its duties are ongoing.
He confirmed during an interview with Al-Arab newspaper, that there is a proposal to strengthen security in Libya. Especially enhancing the security of the country’s borders, given that the Islamic State organisation (IS) has increased its presence and launched an attack in Qatroun city, southern Libya.
“The ministry is today in the process of preparing a new structure, and among the existing proposals is the establishment of national security, primarily securing the border areas,” Abu Zriba claimed.
He explained that “good people are in the process of making intensive contacts and endeavours. There is progress and things are improving, God willing.” He added that “the battalions in Tripoli are being contacted, but the security directorates have no problem at the moment. They have nothing to do with the process of the handover and receiving of power.”
The Minister pointed out that “the spectre of war has moved away from Tripoli, today is not like yesterday. Today the intensity of the unrest has decreased, and it has become very limited.”
He reiterated the insistence of Prime Minister-designate, Fathi Bashagha on entering Tripoli peacefully, without bloodshed. “This is the only thing that has led to a delay in Tripoli’s entry,” he said.
He asserted that incumbent PM, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba “tried to push for a bloody fight and drag innocent people into war.” He indicated that Dbaiba was given legitimacy by the Libyan Parliament, which has now withdrawn confidence from his government. Despite this, he refuses to cede power to the Bashagha government.
“Dbaiba is not convinced of democracy and the peaceful transfer of power. He has created problems because of this,” he noted.
The Minister indicated that “the elections were never the prerogative of the executive authority. Parliament is the one who conducts the elections, in coordination and cooperation with the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), and he will not be able to organise the elections.”
He confirmed that more than two-thirds of the country, both the east and south, are outside the control of Dbaiba, asking: “How will he organise elections? Will he do it in Tripoli only? He is not seeking elections; on the contrary, he wants to obstruct them.”
Abu Zriba confirmed that Dbaiba had no way to stay in power other than to bribe “people who are considered ‘weak-hearted,’ but these things are now fading out.”
“There will be no division in the security establishment. Currently, the security directorates in Tripoli are still under the control of Dbaiba. As for the western, eastern, and southern regions, all security directorates are under the control of the new government,” the Minister stated.
He noted that “the process of integrating militants into the regular forces continues, after beginning two years ago. Several courses have been opened, and those who wish to integrate, the ministry is ready, with the need to respect the conditions set by the General Administration of Training.”