Doubts in Libya over disagreements within the GNA

The inhabitants of Tripoli and western Libya are threatened by a new conflict between the militias of Fayez Sarraj, prime minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA), and those of Fathi Bashagha, the interior minister who has been removed from office.

According to Jeune Afrique, Mr Sarraj's decision to dismiss another GNA strongman like Bashagha after thousands of demonstrators took to the streets over the situation in Libya and serious clashes erupted in the face of the repression could spark a fresh conflict between the militias in Tripoli and the west of the Libyan nation. This clash could be serious for civilians.

On 28 August Fayez Sarraj announced that he had suspended the interior minister, accusing the latter of granting permits to demonstrators to organise protests against the power. The decision also had to do with the repression carried out and the shooting of demonstrators in the Tripolitan capital. 

Since his return from Turkey, a country allied with the GNA in its war against the Libyan National Army led by Marshal Jalifa Haftar, Fathi Bashagha had expressed his frustration with Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj by mobilising his armed groups in Misrata. 

The events point to an escalation of tension between the powerful militias on both sides, which some fear could culminate in a military confrontation within the GNA itself, which has been recognised by the United Nations since 2016 and enjoys the aforementioned military support of Turkey (through paid mercenaries allegedly attached to groups linked in the past to terrorist organisations such as Daesh or al-Qaeda) and financial support from Qatar. 

The military parade that took place during Bashagha's arrival on Saturday from Turkey to the capital Tripoli, under the protection of some 300 military vehicles that travelled to the Mitiga base to accompany him, was a sign of the growing tension between the factions of the former minister of the interior and those of the prime minister.

Speaking at the airport, Bashagha referred to the plans of the GNA to investigate him and addressed a crowd of supporters gathered at Mitiga: "I am ready to be interrogated. I have nothing to hide. "Daily life in Libya is painful," he said, and attributed the country's difficulties to "corruption in all sectors," as reported by The Arab Weekly. "I am not opposed to any group or individual. I am referring to a sick phenomenon called corruption," he said. 

Bashagha later said he would comply with the GNA's investigation and promised to continue his fight against corruption, inside and outside of government. Fathi Bashagha argues that he was suspended because of his open opposition to corruption within the state institution, adding that he has repeatedly called on the executive to establish a comprehensive programme to resolve the country's various crises.

On Saturday, Fayez Sarraj appointed a new defence minister and army chief after Bashagha was suspended amidst street protests against public services and poor living conditions. Several analysts saw in Sarraj's movement an attempt to counter an alleged coup d'état by the interior minister.

The suspicions that Turkey is playing a role in the alleged coup plot grew after Bashagha and Khaled al-Mishri, the president of the Supreme State Council, travelled to Ankara a few days ago in a visit that was not coordinated with Sarraj.

Estimated at about 17,000, their forces are well armed and hardened by the battles against Haftar's army during the Tripoli war. Bashagha previously tried to put pressure on Sarraj by accusing militias loyal to him of attacking the demonstrators in the capital.

Any confrontation between the Tripoli militias, which are largely loyal to Sarraj, and the Misrata militias, which are mostly loyal to Bashagha, would pose a serious challenge to both sides.