The Libyan Prime Minister, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh has officially convened his cabinet for the first time following clashes in the city of Tripoli between pro-government forces and unregulated militias. The Prime Minister is trying to rope in all armed-militias under the regular state army and police. The Libyan Prime Minister is also withholding salaries of armed militia members who are refusing to comply.
In the cabinet meeting, the Interior Minister Emad Trabelsi announced that anyone from the armed-militias who wants to join the regular police and army will have his process readied in less than half an hour.
On the clashes that occurred in Tripoli, the Libyan Prime Minister stated that these clashes originated from an armed militia that wanted to challenge the state and the government. He accused militia leaders of being driven by opportunistic political ambitions rather than by the genuine security interests of Libya. However, the Prime Minister stated that no peaceful protesters were arrested by the government during the Tripoli protests.
The Libyan Prime Minister also commented on the rump government led by General Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi. Premier Dbiebeh accused General Haftar of inventing “political transition periods” with the excuse to remain in power, overspending oil revenues, and siphoning oil profits into foreign bank accounts. Premier Dbiebeh reiterated that this government has international recognition and will continue its preparations for a general election.
The Premier stated that the government will be presenting a three-point plan to announce a democratic transition period for all of Libya and held parliamentary elections. He reiterated that no one can overstep the law or make arbitrary arrests, emphasising that only the government holds sole responsibility for security.
Newsroom
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