Libya’s Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, visited on Monday Algeria at the head of a delegation that included several ministers and top security officials.
Dbeibeh is seeking to obtain Algeria’s support and break the political isolation of his government.
The PM wants Algiers to mediate to solve the current crisis after Tunisia refused to intervene, and his visit to Egypt was not a success.
According to a statement by his government, Dbeibeh intends to hold talks with the Algerian side, focusing on “issues of mutual concern” and “enhancing collaborative relations between the two brotherly countries.”
Meanwhile, Fathi Bashagha, the appointed prime minister by the eastern-based parliament, tried to appease the UK by asserting his attempt to combat terrorism and illegal migration.
Bashagha pledged to intensify efforts to combat terrorism and organized crime, address the deteriorating security conditions, and secure Libyan ports and borders.
He announced that Libya would boost cooperation between security and military institutions and judicial authorities, hoping the UK would provide training and technology expertise to the security forces.
Speaking to the British newspaper Express, Bashagha said he is a great fan of the UK.
“I understand the reasons the British people made the decision to leave the EU. That was a matter for the people, and their verdict was decisive.”
He hoped the UK and Libya can agree on new trading arrangements, noting that Brexit provided the opportunity to forge new relationships, and now, with Libya on the path to stability, the two nations must work closer together.
But he pointed out that his country is also suffering from actions by Vladimir Putin’s regime with Russian “Wagner mercenaries” fighting in the civil war, asserting there is no place in Libya for the Wagner Group or any other Russian or Chechen soldiers.
“Stability, human rights, and peace in Libya can only benefit the UK. We had already seen how cooperation could succeed when in July 2019, we handed Hashem Abedi – involved in the Manchester bombing -over to British authorities," said Dbeibeh.
"I was Minister for the Interior, and during my tenure, our Courts agreed to extradite Mr. Abedi to the UK because he was a British citizen. It was the right thing to do."
He outlined his priorities by saying, “My focus will always be on peace, security, and the rule of law. I will always fight terrorism and extremism. The UK should engage with us, invest in Libya and look to future trade and security cooperation with Libya.”
“I will restore stability in our country and build a state based on justice, law, and equality.”
