‘Dramatic turn’ in Libya crisis worries UN
NEW DEFENCE MINISTER APPOINTED AFTER ANTI-CORRUPTION PROTESTS
The United Nations yesterday voiced alarm over what it called “a dramatic turn of events’’ in Libya’s civil war, after a power struggle between leaders of the Tripoli-based government surfaced in the wake of anti-corruption protests.
“Libya is witnessing a dramatic turn of events that underlines the urgent need to return to a full and inclusive political process,’’ the UN support mission in Libya said.
Protests over deteriorating economic conditions erupted earlier last week in the capital and elsewhere in western Libya, which is controlled by forces loyal to the UN-supported government. In Tripoli, local militia allied with the government opened fire on the demonstrators using rifles and truck-mounted guns, and abducted some of the protesters.
The UN mission in Libya, known as UNSMIL, said it was still concerned about “the excessive use of force against demonstrators as well as the arbitrary arrest of a number of civilians.’’
New army chief
The head of the unity government yesterday appointed a new defence minister and army chief, after days of protests. The decrees followed the announcement hours earlier by Libya’s UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) that it had suspended its interior minister after militia gunmen fired on peaceful demonstrators last week.
GNA chief Fayez Al Sarraj promoted deputy and acting defence minister Salah Al Deen Al Namrush to the ministry’s top job and appointed General Mohammad Ali Al Haddad as head of the army.
AL Haddad hails from Misrata, 200km east of Tripoli, the home of powerful armed groups that have fought on the side of the GNA in the battle against eastern-based Libyan National Army Commander Khalifa Haftar.
The appointments come days after Al Sarraj announced a government reshuffle in response to growing popular discontent in Tripoli and other western Libyan cities under its control.
Hundreds of demonstrators staged rallies from last Sunday in Tripoli against corruption and extended shortages of power, water and fuel in the oil-rich North African country. Gunmen fired on crowds on several occasions.
In response, the GNA said Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha “has been temporarily suspended” pending an inquiry “on his statements about the protests and incidents in Tripoli and other cities”.