Western Libyan factions have stormed Tripoli's Corinthia Hotel to demand the deposition of the new intelligence chief and the interim foreign minister

Armed groups storm Libya's presidential headquarters

photo_camera AFP/MAHMUD TURKIA - Libya's Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Transitional Government of National Unity (GNU), Najla al-Mangoush

Libya's foreign minister, Najla Mangoush, last week demanded the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops deployed in the North African country, especially Turkish troops, who are hindering the political transition, a statement that has put her under strong pressure to resign from her post. However, the foreign policy chief of the Government of National Unity (GNU) is not giving in and took the opportunity this Sunday to renew her call during a tour of Libya's border towns. 

"Today we call for the withdrawal of all foreign forces. Wagner, Janjaweed, Syrian and others from all over Libya. Whether in the south, east or west. We are working with the 5+5 Military Committee to achieve this with international oversight and in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions," Mangoush said, as quoted by LANA. "We are working to restore our sovereignty and prepare for free and fair elections, without the pressure of arms and force," he added. 

AFP/MAHMUD TURKIA-El ministro de Asuntos Exteriores turco, Mevlut Cavusoglu

One of the commitments made by interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeiba to take office was the appointment of a minimum of 30 per cent women in his government. Thus, the Benghazi lawyer and activist took over the foreign ministerial portfolio in March. Since then, Najla Mangoush has been in the spotlight for her alleged affinity with the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Haftar and the rest of the Western powers.

Libyan cleric Sadiq al-Ghariani, a leading supporter of jihadist militias during the civil war and now resident in Turkey, described Minister Mangoush as "mean, despicable and in the service of the Zionist project" on his Al-Tanasuh television channel. Critics of the minister allege that her calls for the withdrawal of foreign forces have been directed at Turkish troops, while she has been reluctant to point out the presence of Russian mercenaries from the Haftar-linked Wagner group.

In contrast, Mangoush's supporters claim that she has maintained impartiality towards all foreign forces. Richard Norland, the US ambassador to Libya, has come to her defence: "We fully support Foreign Minister Mangoush's unequivocal call for the withdrawal of foreign forces in the interest of Libya's sovereignty and stability.

REUTERS/COSTAS BALTAS  -   El mariscal libio Jalifa Haftar

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stressed last week during his visit to Tripoli that Turkey's presence in Libya is not comparable to that of other "illegitimate forces", referring to Russian mercenaries. Erdogan's foreign policy representative defends the Ottoman state's authority to stay in Libya, as it was an express request of the Government of National Accord in the memoranda of understanding. For its part, Russia does not acknowledge having deployed soldiers in Libya and claims that Wagner - a private company that recruits and employs mercenaries - has no links to the Kremlin.

Ankara claims that the 'coup leader' Haftar is demanding the support of the Wagner group, owned by Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is close to Putin, and has requested a batch of mercenaries from Syria. However, the eastern Libyan strongman showed his support for the new transitional government in February. 

Former Turkish foreign minister and AK Party founding member Yasar Yakis warned in a commentary in the daily Arab News that 'Turkey will not feel comfortable if Libya remains divided and the eastern provinces fall under the influence of a combination of Wagner's and Haftar's forces', as the sea corridor would 'pass into the hands of the east' and undermine Turkey's ability to assert itself in the eastern Mediterranean.

International agencies put the presence of foreign forces in the country at 17,000 fighters. Of that portion, some 14,500 are part of the Turkish-sponsored Syrian mercenary contingent. Recent resolutions of the UN Security Council and the so-called Libya Quartet have called for the withdrawal of "all mercenaries and foreign troops". 

Assault on government headquarters

In any case, observers warned that the diatribes against the minister were life-threatening, just two months after the failed attempt on the interior minister's life. The estimates were relieved as true last Saturday, when a brigade of gunmen attacked one of the temporary headquarters of Libya's Presidential Council, the body set up expressly to facilitate the political transition.
 

PHOTO/AFP  -   El nuevo primer ministro interino de Libia, Abdul Hamid Dbeiba, tras jurar su cargo el 15 de marzo de 2021 en la ciudad costera oriental de Tobruk

The appointment of the new head of the intelligence service, Husein al-Aib, sharpened criticism and eventually sparked the crackdown on the headquarters, located in Tripoli's Corinthia Hotel. The Libyan Audit Office called for a reversal of the election after hearing the news, alleging that Husein al-Aib is involved in corruption. The assailants also called for the return of his predecessor, Imad al-Tarablusi, to office.

According to local media reports, the attack was carried out by pro-GNA militias led by Fayez Sarraj. Muslim Brotherhood leaders claim that the new intelligence chief, Hussein al-Aib, is linked to General Haftar and held positions in the agency under Gaddafi. The attackers also demanded the resignation of foreign delegate Najla Mangoush over her continued calls for the withdrawal of foreign military and mercenaries from Libya, which they consider foolish.

The storming of the Tripoli hotel prompted calls for the government headquarters to be moved to the coastal city of Sirte. Meanwhile, interim Prime Minister Dbeiba is tasked with overseeing the reunified institutions until 24 December, when elections will be held. For the moment, Libya is a powder keg. Since the fall of dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi a decade ago and the implosion of a devastating civil war in 2014, the country has not been able to leave behind a long period of instability.
 

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