Libya’s U.N.-backed government to move to Tripoli within days

Libya’s U.N.-backed unity government will move to Tripoli from Tunis “within a few days”, its prime minister said in a television interview broadcast on Thursday.

Fayez Seraj said a security plan agreed with police and military forces in Tripoli, with some armed groups, and with the United Nations, would allow the Presidential Council and the government it nominated to transfer to the Libyan capital.

The unity government was named under a plan to end the political chaos and conflict that has beset Libya since the uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi five years ago.

Since 2014, the country has had two rival parliaments and governments, one based in Tripoli and one in the east.

“We, the government of national accord, will be in the capital Tripoli soon … within a few days,” Seraj told Jordan-based Libya HD channel in a pre-recorded interview.

“The armed groups will remain in their camps until an agreement is found with them about whether their members will be integrated and young people absorbed within certain programs according the security plan,” he said.

The unity government has faced opposition from hardliners on both sides of Libya’s political divide, and the prime minister of the government based in Tripoli this week warned the unity government not to move there.

But Western powers have been pushing hard for the unity government to start work, hoping that it will be able to tackle the threat from Islamic State, both by drawing together Libyan armed factions, and by requesting international help.

Libyan prime minister-designate under a proposed National Unity government Fayez Seraj attends a joint news conference with European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini in Tunis, Tunisia January 8, 2016. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

Seraj said the Presidential Council saw a need to take advantage of the “international momentum” around Libya, but it was up to Libyans to determine their needs.

“If the international community provides assistance I do not think the Libyans would reject that, but within the rules and standards, and according to what Libyans want,” he said.

“Direct intervention is unacceptable, and we have sent that message clearly.”

Credit to True News
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