Libyan Parliament Criticizes Algeria for Refusing to Recognize Bashagha's Govt

Libya's Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed prime minister by the eastern-based parliament this month, looks on during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia March 30, 2022. Picture taken March 30, 2022. (Reuters)
Libya's Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed prime minister by the eastern-based parliament this month, looks on during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia March 30, 2022. Picture taken March 30, 2022. (Reuters)
TT

Libyan Parliament Criticizes Algeria for Refusing to Recognize Bashagha's Govt

Libya's Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed prime minister by the eastern-based parliament this month, looks on during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia March 30, 2022. Picture taken March 30, 2022. (Reuters)
Libya's Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed prime minister by the eastern-based parliament this month, looks on during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia March 30, 2022. Picture taken March 30, 2022. (Reuters)

The east-based Libyan parliament slammed the Algerian government for failing to recognize the government of stability headed by Fathi Bashagha.

Algiers has instead opted to continue to support the Government of National Unity, headed by Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah.

This is the first time the parliament openly criticizes Algeria in defending Bashagha's government, which it backed by a vote of confidence in March.

Head of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, Youssef al-Aqoury deemed Algeria's ongoing refusal to recognize Bashagha's government and keep supporting the GNU as meddling in Libya's internal affairs and a violation of the country's sovereignty.

He noted the Algerian position "has never supported the stability of the Libyan people," while the two neighbors enjoy historic and social relations.

Moreover, he highlighted how Libya had stood by the Algerian people in their struggle against colonization.

"We therefore, question the position of the Algerian government, which has completely dismissed all fraternal relations and Libya's sovereignty," he added.

Dbeibah had visited Algeria on April 18 where he held talks with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Tebboune said at the time that his country supports the Libyan government that is backed by the international community, meaning the GNU.

There can be no solution in Libya without returning to the people, he added.

He urged the need for Libya to hold parliamentary elections so that legitimacy can be restored to the people.

Only the parliament decides the shape of the new government, he added.

Aqoury dismissed the statements, saying the GNU lost its legitimacy when confidence was withdrawn from it and its replacement voted in.

Some countries have exploited the chaos in Libya by looting its oil and mineral wealth, he went on to say, without naming a country in particular.

Those parties hope to see crisis persist in Libya so that they could achieve their narrow interests, he added.

History will attest to those who helped restore stability and peace in Libya, he stressed.



Syria’s Al-Sharaa Says No to Arms Outside State Control

Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) arrives for a meeing with visiting Druze officials from Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in Damascus on December 22, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) arrives for a meeing with visiting Druze officials from Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in Damascus on December 22, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
TT

Syria’s Al-Sharaa Says No to Arms Outside State Control

Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) arrives for a meeing with visiting Druze officials from Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in Damascus on December 22, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) arrives for a meeing with visiting Druze officials from Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in Damascus on December 22, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said his administration would announce the new structure of the defense ministry and military within days.

In a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday, al-Sharaa said that his administration would not allow for arms outside the control of the state.

An official source told Reuters on Saturday that Murhaf Abu Qasra, a leading figure in the insurgency that toppled Bashar al-Assad two weeks ago, had been named as defense minister in the interim government.
Sharaa did not mention the appointment of a new defense minister on Sunday.
Sharaa discussed the form military institutions would take during a meeting with armed factions on Saturday, state news agency SANA said.
Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said last week that the defense ministry would be restructured using former opposition factions and officers who defected from Assad's army.

Earlier Sunday, Lebanon’s Druze leader Walid Jumblatt held talks with al-Sharaa in Damascus.

Jumblatt expressed hope that Lebanese-Syrian relations “will return to normal.”

“Syria was a source of concern and disturbance, and its interference in Lebanese affairs was negative,” al-Sharaa said, referring to the Assad government. “Syria will no longer be a case of negative interference in Lebanon," he added.