GNA’s Interior Minister Escapes Shooting Attack in Tripoli

Arab World

February 21st, 4:25pm

Asharq Al-Awsat

Government of National Accord Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha. AP file photo

Gunmen opened fire on the motorcade of Fathi Bashagha, the Libyan Government of National Accord’s Interior Minister, in the capital Tripoli on Sunday but he escaped unharmed. Armed men opened fire at Bashagha’s motorcade on a highway, wounding at least one of his guards, said Amin al-Hashmi, a spokesman for the Tripoli-based Health Ministry. He said the minister survived the attack and his guards chased the assailants, killing one and detaining two others. The Interior Ministry said in a statement that Bashagha was returning to his residence in the Janzour neighborhood when armed men in an armored vehicle opened fire on his convoy. The statement called the attack an “attempted assassination” of the minister. Earlier Sunday, Bashagha met with Mustafa Sanalla, head of Libya’s National Oil Corporation. US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland condemned the attack and called for an investigation to hold those responsible accountable. “Minister Bashaga’s focus on ending the influence of rogue militias has our full support,” Norland said. Recent weeks have been relatively calm, but heavy gunfire could be heard from central Tripoli overnight between Saturday and Sunday.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2819421/gna%E2%80%99s-interior-minister-escapes-shooting-attack-tripoli