Libya peace-building efforts remains a serious concern amid new political crisis

A political crisis in Libya’s UN-backed government has resulted in widespre street protests and raising concerns about future of peacebuilding efforts. Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj accused his interior minister Fathi Bashaga of acting unlawfully in giving his backing to calls for improved living standards before sacking him from office pending an investigation to be conducted within 72 hours. 

According to Guardian, Bashagha was critical to UN-backed government in Libya's handling of  year-long siege of capital Tripoli by General Khalifa Haftar’s forces and fostered wider political ambitions. It was furr suggested that Haftar was trying to exploit divisions in internationally recognised government by setting up checkpoints around main disputed areas.

Moreover, widespre protests erupted earlier this week in western Libya, which is controlled by forces loyal to UN-supported government, that led to furr divison of ranks between Libyan PM Sarraj and Bashaga.

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Militants open fire on protestors

Earlier, local militants allied with government were reported to have opened fire on protestors with rifles and truck-mounted guns and even kidnapped some demonstrators in Tripoli. At first, Sarraj and Bashaga accused “outlawed infiltrators” for instigation of violence. Sarraj said that protestors did t take any necessary permits for ir rally and described demonstrations as “riots.” 

However, Sarraj suspended Bashaga on Friday and initiated an ministrative investigation after interior minister accused a government-allied militia of attacking peaceful protesters in a complete flip from his earlier position. 

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As per reports, suspension of interior minister led militias in Tripoli to celebrate decision by firing weapons into air. In an effort to show up power, Sarraj has appointed a new defence minister, a new chief of defence staff, met up local municipal leers and set up an inquiry into corruption in health ministry over past two years.

UN mission in Libya, UNSMIL, expressed concerns about excessive use of forces against demonstrators as well as arbitrary arrest of a number of civilians. Moreover, reports did t clarify how many people were detained.

US Embassy in Libya retweeted UNSMIL's statement and urged two Libyan leers to cooperate in interests of common people.  acting UN special envoy for Libya, Stephanie Williams, has called for calm and expressed concerns about turn of events, including reports of excessive violence in suppressing protests in Tripoli. 

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