Tensions rise in Libya after arrest of two ministers
Libya's outgoing Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibé is relentless in his attempts to hold on to power. To prevent the formation of the new executive, he ordered not only the closure of the airspace and the coastal road linking the east and west of the country, but also the arrest of two delegates to prevent them from attending the swearing-in session.
Foreign Minister Hafez Kaddour and Culture Minister Salha al-Toumi were on their way to the city of Tobruk when they were arrested by gunmen, according to Libya's Al Ahrar television channel. Bashagha's response was immediate and he sent a letter to the attorney general's office in which he defines the act as "a violation of the right of movement and an attack on the political constitutional authority".
It also calls for the necessary judicial measures to be taken and for anyone who commits such an offence to be held accountable. Experts consider this escalation to be the last card in Dbeibé's hand as he fails to get a reaction from his rival to the threats of war. Bashagha has no intention of getting involved in an armed conflict, but assures that he will take power in Tripoli by "force of law".
All this came on Wednesday, a day before the swearing-in ceremony before parliament. The session began with the broadcasting of recordings in which nine MPs placed their trust in Bashagha's executive. Some MPs questioned the proceedings and suspicions of fraud arose around them.
Aqila Saleh, Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, announced that these representatives are sympathisers of the National Unity Government and accused them of "putting their personal interests before the interests of the nation". He pledged that the House of Representatives would work on issuing laws and making decisions that would help create a secure environment.
The arrests clash with the communiqué issued by Dbeibé to all his military units and formations. No armed vehicle was to be allowed to move without prior permission from the Ministry of Defence. However, the units in charge of protection could receive some kind of order if he considered that any formation was moving in a suspicious manner.
These statements are suspicious as they contain implicit warnings to Bashagha not to enter the capital. Jamal Salem Shaaban, Dbeibé's finance minister, argues that the parliament's decision is not characterised by transparency and integrity, and that it did not follow the established rules.
"There is no coordination with the Council of State as a political partner, which threatens peace in Libya and blood may flow with it, so I announce that I am not honoured to be in a government that has brought war and destruction, and entered the capital in a dark tunnel", with these statements he informed about his resignation.
The new government pledges to work with parliament and the Supreme Council to achieve reconciliation and end the political transition. Imposing an administration through the use of armed force is ruled out as it would mean the return of militias and confrontation between them.
Some of the issues that the future prime minister will have to deal with are power cuts, water shortages, lack of jobs and housing for young people. Citizens need a leader who will create an environment of stability and ensure the holding of the next elections.
The Libyan news agency WAL reports on Bashagha's desire to work with both the Presidential Council and friendly countries. All this to serve the interests of the people and to focus on what truly unites his country; but above all, to regain the sense of unity lost under Dbeibé.
In February 2021, the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum chose Dbeibé to lead a transitional process whose mission was to unify the institutions and lead the country to presidential and legislative elections. The international community had high hopes for him to restore a nation that had been in deep chaos for eleven years.