Head of the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdulhamid Dbeibeh deepened the rift with Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar by attending the graduation ceremony of new recruits to pro-government forces in Misrata city.
Activists and local media noted that extremist members of the former Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries were present at the event.
Dbeibeh had notably skipped an LNA military parade recently held in the eastern city of Benghazi, in what was seen as a snub to Haftar.
The parade, described by the LNA as the largest since the ouster of ruler Moammar al-Gaddafi in 2011, was held late in May to mark the seventh anniversary of the launch of Operation Dignity that kicked off from Benghazi in 2014 against terrorist and criminal groups.
In contrast, Dbeibeh, who also serves as defense minister attended the Misrata ceremony. Also present was member of the Presidential Council, Abdullah al-Lafi in his capacity as supreme commander of the army. Ministers from the GNU and military leaders were also present.
Dbeibeh said that the GNU views the new recruits, who want to continue their path in defending the nation, as the real project to modernize the Libyan army and pump new blood in its ranks.
Haftar loyalists slammed Dbeibeh and al-Lafi for attending the event alongside militias that had taken part in the former Government of National Accord’s (GNA) Operation Volcano of Rage against the LNA’s 2019 offensive to capture the capital, Tripoli.
Head of the parliamentary defense and national security committee Talal al-Mayhoub condemned Dbeibeh and al-Lafi for attending the Misrata event while snubbing the LNA parade in Benghazi.
He warned that the GNU’s provocative actions were similar to those of the GNA, adding that the new government boasts “unity” only in name.
Haftar had formally invited Dbeibeh and head of the Presidential Council, Mohammed al-Menfi, to attend the Benghazi parade, but they turned it down because they had carried out surprise visits to Tunisia and Algeria.
