Tripoli Becomes Military Base amid Fears of War in Libya

Arab World

August 27th, 7:20am

Cairo - Khalid Mahmoud

Joint forces of the interim government at the closed Tripoli airport (AFP)

The Libyan capital, Tripoli, turned into a military base amid fears of war between the militias supported by Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh, head of the interim government, and fighters backed by parliament-appointed Fathi Bashagha, who chairs the unity cabinet. The commander of the western military region, Major General Osama al-Juwaili, said that he refuses to negotiate with armed factions affiliated with Dbeibeh, demanding their unconditional withdrawal of from the government headquarters. Local media also quoted a source from the Bashagha government asserting that its forces will not initiate the use of force. He noted that the goal of this unit is to secure the government headquarters to enable the cabinet to carry out its tasks. Meanwhile, media sources said that several leaders loyal to Dbeibeh activated what was known as the "Tripoli Military Council," coinciding with the movements of troops to secure the entrances and exits of the city and block the roads leading to Tripoli's closed airport. Anadolu Agency quoted a military source affiliated with the Dbeibeh government as saying that military forces were deployed in the southern regions of Tripoli. Furthermore, the Libyan Human Rights Committee said it is following with great concern the armed mobilization in various areas of Tripoli and its suburbs, which threatens a new escalation of violence and armed clashes. The committee warned that this would significantly threaten the security, safety, and life of civilians and their property in the capital. The Libyan Crimes Watch organization called for ending all military preparations in the vicinity of Tripoli, urging all parties to end all forms of escalation. The United Nations voiced concern over the situation in Libya and called on all concerned parties to consider the interests of the Libyan people. "We're watching with concern the developments in Libya, including the mobilization of forces, the threats of resorting to force for political aims," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. It is essential that there is de-escalation and that everyone keeps in mind the needs of the Libyan people: political harmony and peace, he said. "Nobody wants to see anything go backward." The United Nations Libya Mission (UNSMIL) warned Friday that armed groups in the sensitive region of Sirte were preventing civilians from accessing vital services. UNSMIL said it had “received worrying reports that these restrictions are preventing access by civilians to hospitals, schools, shops, and other essential facilities.” It added that civilian freedom of movement should be restored and called “for the release of all arbitrarily detained individuals.”

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3839386/tripoli-becomes-military-base-amid-fears-war-libya