The head of the national unity government in Libya, Abd al-Hamid al-Dabaiba, said that there are 20,000 mercenaries in the country and getting them out takes time and wisdom, indicating that there is a crisis in naming whoever takes over the defense portfolio from a particular region.

In a hearing on his government's program before the House of Representatives held in the city of Sirte (center), Dabaiba added that he did not choose any minister with his proposed formation from previous governments after the February Revolution, and that he did not accept any minister in his government who could not move between the various regions.

On Monday, the House of Representatives suspended its session on giving confidence to the Government of National Unity, until Tuesday, to hear Dabaiba.

Dabaiba explained that the most prominent challenge facing his government is to unify institutions throughout Libya, and he stressed commitment to the outcomes of the Geneva Conference, especially with regard to the duration of the National Unity Government's work, and support for holding parliamentary and presidential elections on time in accordance with the constitutional rule.

20 thousand mercenaries

The Prime Minister-designate explained what he described as the blockage and the difficulties that he faced in naming a defense minister from a particular region, and that there are international parties, whom he did not name, that have a role and influence related to the Ministry of Defense portfolio, and said, "All the contestants want the Ministry of Defense, and we cannot allow war a second time." The war must stop. "

He indicated that the country's sovereignty was violated by more than 20 thousand mercenaries, whom he described as a dagger in the back of Libya, and that negotiating with countries to remove mercenaries and foreign forces needs time and wisdom.

Dabaiba did not provide details in this regard, but his spokesman, Muhammad Hammouda, told the House of Representatives, today, that the government formation presented does not include a name for the defense portfolio that the prime minister will currently assume until a person is appointed, in consultation between Dabaiba and the Presidential Council.

Dabaiba affirmed that only one minister was chosen in his government formation, and that the rest of the ministers were chosen based on recommendations from MPs, and pointed out that a decision had been taken to exclude any minister who held a position in previous governments, and (as well) controversial figures.

He continued: We have 26 ministers in the government formation, and I do not know all of them, but I trusted your recommendation (addressing the MPs).

Dabaiba was elected in February at the head of a unified executive authority whose primary mission is to organize elections (Al-Jazeera)

Regarding the role of women, Dabaiba said: Based on my personal belief in her role, we estimated her and gave her a place in this government, as it represents 15% of the ministerial formation, and it will represent 30% in institutions.

He stressed that he would not stick to any minister who was suspected of corruption, and that all ministers would submit a financial disclosure.

On February 5, the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum elected a unified executive authority, headed by Dabaiba, to head the government, whose primary mission is to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on December 24, 2021.

Resumption of flights

At a time when signs of consensus looming on the horizon of the parties on a new authority to lead the country to the next stage, flights resumed Tuesday between the cities of Benghazi and Misrata, which are controlled by competing authorities after a 7-year hiatus, in further evidence of the beginning of a return to normal life in a country looking for stability .

An African Airlines plane coming from Benghazi (east) landed on Tuesday morning at Misurata airport (west), according to the company.

It is supposed to organize 4 weekly trips for "uniting the people of the homeland" according to the national company established by the late leader Muammar Gaddafi, who was killed in 2011, 8 months after the outbreak of the revolution in the country.

Libya has since become the scene of bloody violence between armed factions, and is still mired in chaos against the backdrop of political divisions.

Flights between Benghazi and Misrata were suspended in April 2014 due to clashes between factions and the struggle for influence.

Misurata is located about 200 km from the capital, Tripoli, and is the home of the most powerful armed factions in the west of the country, which joined the Government of National Accord, which was divided by the influence of the eastern government supporting retired Major General Khalifa Haftar.

The first symbolic flight took place from Benghazi to Tripoli last October.

However, the flights were interrupted after an attack by Haftar loyalists in April 2019 to take control of Tripoli, which ended in failure 14 months later.

On October 23, 2020, the two parties to the conflict signed an "immediate" ceasefire agreement, following negotiations in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations.