Libya: Interior Minister Fathi Bachagha escapes an attack
Libyan Interior Minister Fathi Bachagha escaped an attack on February 21, 2021. khalil / AFP
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Fathi Bachagha, the Libyan Minister of the Interior of the Government of National Unity exiting Fayez al-Sarraj, escaped unscathed Sunday February 21 from an assassination attempt near Tripoli.
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The GNA Interior Minister, Fathi Bachagha, was the target of an assassination attempt on Sunday at 3 p.m. while he was returning to his residence in Janzour
", a town located about ten kilometers from Tripoli, the ministry said in a statement.
"
An armored vehicle (...) opened fire on the convoy with machine guns and the ministry's protection officers responded by opening fire on the attackers
", adds the text.
"
One of his guards was injured", but "the minister is safe and sound
," according to the ministry.
According to a member of the minister's entourage, two of the attackers were arrested and a third succumbed to his injuries.
The three attackers are from Zawiya, 50 km from Tripoli, a source told AFP.
Conviction of the American Embassy
United States Ambassador Richard Norland expressed his "indignation" after the attack and affirmed in a telephone interview with the Libyan minister "the complete support" of his country for Mr. Bachagha's efforts to "put an end to to the influence of the militias, ”according to an embassy statement.
US Condemns Attack on Minister of Interior Bashaga #Libya https://t.co/MKZn9Clyz3
- US Embassy - Libya (@USAEmbassyLibya) February 21, 2021
Fathi Bachagha is part of the Government of National Unity (GNA) outgoing from Fayez al-Sarraj, based in Tripoli and recognized by the UN.
He was strongly tipped for the post of interim prime minister, finally returned on February 5 to Abdel Hamid Dbeibah, as part of a political process sponsored by the UN.
Fathi Bachagha was RFI's Africa guest on January 23, 2021. Listen to his interview here:
Fathi Bachagha (Libyan minister-GNA): "Our political camp respects the truce"
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