Libya’s Bashagha to Asharq Al-Awsat: I Will Remain in My Post Until Elections Are Held

Head of Libya’s government of stability, Fathi Bashagha. (Reuters)
Head of Libya’s government of stability, Fathi Bashagha. (Reuters)
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Libya’s Bashagha to Asharq Al-Awsat: I Will Remain in My Post Until Elections Are Held

Head of Libya’s government of stability, Fathi Bashagha. (Reuters)
Head of Libya’s government of stability, Fathi Bashagha. (Reuters)

Head of Libya’s government of stability, Fathi Bashagha announced that he would remain in his position until “all Libyan parties” agree on electoral laws, which are welcomed by the international community, and until they set dates for the presidential and parliamentary elections.

“Only then will I decide,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat in an interview.

On whether he will run for president, he said he will make up his mind after the laws and regulations related to the polls are approved.

He hoped that the international community would take more steps in supporting the initiative of United Nations envoy Abdoulaye Bathily that aims for the elections to be held this year.

Bashagha dismissed claims that he has low chances of being elected president due to his government’s failure in entering the capital Tripoli to perform its duties.

“I have great popularity, whether I succeeded in entering Tripoli or not,” he stressed.

“Everyone knows that my project calls for the establishment of the state and this has prevented others from remaining in their posts for as long as possible and led to more calls for the elections to be held,” he remarked.

Commenting on his relations with Türkiye and reports that it had supplied his rival, head of the Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, with drones to thwart his entry into Tripoli, Bashagha said: “Every phase has its circumstances and conditions. My relations with Ankara have been and continue to be excellent.”

Moreover, he praised the relations he enjoys with parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh. “Some believe that these ties are strained, but that is not true,” he added.

On reports that Libyan parties want to keep Seif al-Islam al-Gaddafi, the son of late ruler Moammar, from running in the presidential elections, Bashagha said the issue is always brought up when talks are held over dropping the candidacy of figures who have judicial rulings against them.

Seif al-Islam is instantly the target of such discussions, he noted, saying that such a judicial condition is part of electoral laws in several countries.

Turning to armed groups in Libya, he said the issue is “not impossible to resolve”.

“With enough international support and political will, the problem can be overcome,” he added.

Furthermore, he said that when he served as interior minister, he had come up with a training and rehabilitation program for the fighters. Several of them have already been recruited and others have graduated as officers.

The program, however, came to a halt after his term as minister ended.

In addition, he warned of the spread of illegal weapons in Libya. This makes the country a safe haven for extremists.

Terrorist cells are already present in the South, he noted. They may expand their activities if they receive the necessary funding, he warned.

These cells are involved in drug smuggling and human trafficking.

He underscored the importance of forming a southern border force that could address the security situation there.

However, the security institutions would continue to be weak in the absence of a united government and the continued divisions, he lamented.

Asked about the international efforts to support the UN initiative on Libya, Bashagha called for employing “any efforts to help resolve the crisis.”

He acknowledged that the United States and Europe are keen on the withdrawal of Russia’s Wagner group from Libya.

“That is not their only concern,” he remarked.

“The stability of Libya is their priority as it is for neighboring countries, like Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Sudan, and the rest of Africa,” he stressed.

“Everyone knows that the longer the crisis in Libya goes on, the more likely it is to impact Africa,” he warned.



Nigeria Nears Military Agreements with Saudi Arabia to Boost Security, Combat Terrorism

Nigerian Minister of State and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
Nigerian Minister of State and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
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Nigeria Nears Military Agreements with Saudi Arabia to Boost Security, Combat Terrorism

Nigerian Minister of State and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
Nigerian Minister of State and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister in Riyadh (SPA)

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, told Asharq Al-Awsat that his country is close to signing military agreements with Saudi Arabia. These deals will include joint training, capacity-building programs, counterterrorism training, and intelligence sharing.

He said Nigeria is working to strengthen its strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia. “My visit focused on boosting military cooperation and ties with the Saudi Armed Forces,” he added after meeting Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman.

Matawalle said his country believes in Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting regional stability and global security. He noted that his visit aimed to explore new opportunities, share ideas, and strengthen cooperation to address common security threats.

Matawalle said the talks focused on boosting security ties, including counterterrorism training and intelligence sharing.

“We aim to solidify Nigeria’s partnership with Saudi Arabia and finalize agreements on joint training programs and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen our armed forces,” he said.

He also visited the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) headquarters in Riyadh, where he met Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi to discuss enhancing cooperation in security and counterterrorism with Saudi Arabia and other member states.

Counterterrorism Efforts

Nigeria has made strong progress in fighting terrorism, thanks to multi-faceted strategies, according to Matawalle. He pointed to the success of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, which has significantly reduced banditry in the northwest.

In the northeast, groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP have been largely defeated through Operation HADIN KAI, he said, crediting military action and international partnerships, including with Saudi Arabia, for improved intelligence and training.

Matawalle also praised a recent counterterrorism conference in Nigeria, calling it a vital step.

“It highlighted the importance of working together to tackle terrorism and strengthen regional security,” he said.

Matawalle said that the recent counterterrorism conference helped countries share strategies, intelligence, and best practices. He stressed the need for a united front against terrorist networks and highlighted the event’s role in boosting collaboration between African nations and global partners.

Matawalle added that the conference reinforced Nigeria’s leadership in regional security and the importance of partnerships like the one with the IMCTC.

Nigeria Calls for Stronger Arab-African Role in Regional Crises

Matawalle urged Arab-African nations to work together to stop the wars in Palestine and Lebanon. He called for collective action to push for a ceasefire and provide humanitarian aid to those affected.

He emphasized the need for Arab-African countries to use their influence in organizations like the UN and African Union to seek a fair resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On Sudan’s crisis, Matawalle reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for peaceful solutions through inclusive dialogue. He stressed that clear mandates, logistical support, and collaboration with local stakeholders are essential for success.

“Nigeria is ready to work with regional and international partners to ensure peace initiatives succeed,” he said, highlighting Nigeria’s leadership roles in ECOWAS and the African Union. He also backed deploying mediators to secure ceasefires and deliver humanitarian aid.

Matawalle said deploying African forces in Sudan could succeed if efforts are well-coordinated, properly funded, and internationally supported.

He expressed optimism, pointing to growing agreement among African nations on the importance of African-led solutions. With backing from the African Union and global partners, he believes such initiatives could protect civilians and promote lasting stability.