Libya: precarious agreement between the two rival Prime Ministers
Fathi Bachagha (photo illustration) announced that his groups withdrew to avoid “bloodshed”.
© AFP
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Calm returned yesterday, Friday March 11, in the Libyan capital following the withdrawal of forces loyal to the new Prime Minister, Fathi Bachagha.
These forces, coming from Misrata and several other cities to support him, had taken up position on the outskirts of Tripoli, raising fears of clashes with the forces under the orders of outgoing Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibah.
The situation came close to disaster before Washington and the UN succeeded “manu militari” in defusing the crisis by increasing contacts and calls for calm.
An agreement was finally reached between the two rival Prime Ministers.
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At the end of this agreement the government of Prime Minister Bachagha will enter Tripoli peacefully.
The agreement also stipulates the rapid opening of the airspace closed for a week on the orders of outgoing Prime Minister Dbeibah, as well as the opening of the coastal road linking Tripoli to Benghazi.
Avoid "
bloodshed
"
Fathi Bachagha announced that his groups have withdrawn to avoid "
bloodshed
" and that he "
does not prefer to resort to arms
".
His forces carried white flags and sought to take over ministries to allow the government to work, he said.
He criticized his rival Abdel Hamid Dbeibah who, according to him, had so far refused mediation for a way out of the crisis.
The American special envoy to Libya, Richard Norland, affirmed yesterday that Dbeibah agrees to discuss with his rival.
A meeting is being prepared between the two Prime Ministers under the aegis of the UN.
The oil question
Awaiting mediation, divisions and pressures are increasing and the situation remains tense.
The question of oil once again comes into play and could be used as a weapon of war.
Yesterday, civilians in the center of the country threatened to close the terminals of the oil crescent so that the international community accepts the “
Libyan-Libyan solution and recognizes the Bachagha government appointed by the parliament
”.
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To read also: Libya: extreme tension between the two executives, the UN calls for calm
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