Head of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah announced on Sunday the “end of the aggression” on the capital, Tripoli, declaring the defeat of his rival, Fathi Bashagha, the head of the government of stability.
Dbeibah vowed that all military personnel and civilians will be held to account for their involvement in the fighting.
Charred cars and buildings pockmarked by bullets scarred Libya's capital on Sunday, the day after intense fighting killed 32 people yet appeared to leave the Tripoli government more firmly entrenched.
Battles raged across the city throughout Saturday as forces aligned with the parliament-backed administration of Bashagha failed to take control of the capital and oust the Tripoli-based government of Dbeibah.
The GNU forces said they are in control of all military and civilian headquarters in Tripoli, while Bashagha’s forces have pulled out.
In his remarks on Sunday, Dbeibah accused “coup forces” that waged the attack on Tripoli of following international agendas that don’t want stability in Libya.
In remarks to the east-based parliament and Bashagha’s government, he declared: “The parallel government has failed. The people are not juvenile to be deceived by what appears to be a new government, but is in reality an extension of your illegitimacy.”
He instead called for holding democratic elections that will bring in new authority in Libya.
Meanwhile, the military prosecution affiliated with the GNU issued a warrant for the arrest of Bashagha and other officials in wake of the unrest.
For his part, Bashagha held the GNU responsible for the Tripoli clashes.
“We followed with regret the state of security chaos and terror among Tripoli residents that were caused by criminal groups at Dbeibah’s orders,” he stated.
“Dbeibah and his armed gangs are responsible for the bloodshed because they cling on to power and reject the will of the Libyan people and principle of peaceful transition of power,” he declared.
He defended the legitimacy of his government, saying it is a product of a constitutional policy that is based on democratic rules.
The Presidential Council, meanwhile, held an extraordinary meeting on Sunday, calling on all parties to assume their responsibilities for the sake of stability and to avert a new war.
It stressed that it was advancing firmly towards stability and national reconciliation and that it will not squander opportunities to end the political divisions.
