Calm returned to the Libyan capital, Tripoli, after clashes erupted yesterday, Tuesday, when Prime Minister-designate Fathi Pashaga entered the city, accompanied by an armed force, which was confronted by forces affiliated with the Libyan army. to the capital to carry out his duties.

The clashes took place between armed groups supporting the national unity government headed by Dabaiba, and others supporting the Prime Minister-designate from the House of Representatives, Fathi Bashagha, hours after he arrived in the city to start his government’s work late on Monday evening.

The clashes - which lasted for hours - stopped after the intervention of forces belonging to the General Staff of the Libyan Army, which is affiliated with the Government of National Unity, and providing a safe corridor for Bashagha to get out of Tripoli.

The Head of the Unity Government ordered Attorney General Siddiq Al-Sour and Military Prosecutor General Masoud Arhouma to open an investigation into the Tripoli events.

Tour and statements

Dabaiba toured the capital after the confrontations ended, and a statement from the Prime Minister's Office stated that Dabaiba had ordered the formation of a committee to determine the damages resulting from the clashes to start procedures for compensation for those affected.

Following this tour, Dabaiba explained - in a televised speech - that he agreed to open a safe corridor for what he described as the overthrown group that stormed Tripoli, in order to save blood, and said that citizens fear a return to a state of terror after the militants infiltrated the capital, and Dabaiba added that "the extension and coup project committed suicide." Politically, his death certificate was officially issued today.

The head of the Libyan unity government stressed that the elections are the solution, and that there is no future for Libya without holding them, accusing the "upside down group" of wanting to live only in war and strife.

Pashaga's novel

On the other hand, Bashagha said hours after he left Tripoli and arrived in the central city of Sirte, that he did not resort to "force, insults, or treason," and he did not resort to weapons "to protect the blood of Libyans."

Bashagha announced that his government will work from Sirte, starting today, Wednesday, awaiting the start of its work from the capital when appropriate conditions are available. .

1/4 Despite our peaceful entry to the capital, Tripoli, without the use of violence and force of arms, and our reception by the honorable people of Tripoli, we were surprised by the dangerous military escalation carried out by armed groups affiliated with the expired government.

— Fathi Bashagha (@fathi_bashagha) May 17, 2022

Bashagha's office had stated that he had to leave Tripoli after the clashes that provoked his attempt to enter the city, when the headquarters of the Al-Nawasi Brigade, which received him, was attacked by an armed attack.

queuing prevention

Following the Tripoli clashes, the General Staff said it was ordering all military units to abide by the Supreme Commander's report regarding the prevention of the movement of military convoys.

The Chief of Staff expressed its rejection of what it called "attempts to spread chaos" in the capital, stressing its commitment to "the civil state and the peaceful transfer of power through fair elections."

Last February, the House of Representatives - based in eastern Libya - appointed former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha as prime minister.

Parliament has the support of retired Major General Khalifa Haftar, whose forces tried to seize the capital in 2019.

But Bashagha has so far failed to overthrow the Dabaiba government, which was entrusted with the primary task of organizing legislative and presidential elections that were scheduled for last December, but were postponed due to differences over the way the polls should be organized.

Calls for calm

In response to the Tripoli clashes, the US State Department expressed grave concern and urged all parties to refrain from resorting to violence. The US Embassy also called on armed groups to refrain from using violence, and warned politicians that seizing or maintaining power by force would increase the suffering of Libyans. .

1/2 In light of the developments taking place in Tripoli, I would like to stress the urgent need to maintain calm on the ground and protect civilians.

I urge restraint and absolute necessity to refrain from provocative actions, including inflammatory rhetoric, engagement in clashes and mobilization of forces.

— Stephanie Turco Williams (@SASGonLibya) May 17, 2022

And called Stephanie Williams, the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General of the United Nations to maintain calm in Tripoli and all parts of Libya, and to protect civilians and public interests and facilities.

During a speech before the Libyan Constitutional Path Committee in Cairo, Williams urged all parties to exercise restraint and to refrain from provocative actions.

The British Ambassador to Libya, Caroline Horndel, urged the Libyan parties to calm down and enter into a dialogue to establish stability and organize successful elections. The German ambassador to Libya, Michael Unmacht, called for restraint, stressing that a political solution is the only solution to the Libyan crisis.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the need to preserve the lives, property and capabilities of the Libyan people, and the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for preparing the atmosphere for holding elections in Libya. possible opportunity.