TRIPOLI: Libya’s outgoing premier yesterday said he would hand power to his rival and successor in “a week or two,” after deadly fighting between a rogue ex-general and Islamists in their Benghazi stronghold.
Abdullah Al Thani had refused to recognise the new government of Ahmed Miitig, who convened a cabinet meeting on Monday despite his objections.
Thani had previously said he would let the judiciary decide whether he should hand over power, citing appeals filed by MPs against the chaotic General National Congress vote in May that elected Miitig.
But yesterday he appeared to strike a conciliatory stance, saying he was ready to yield power.
Speaking at a press conference, Thani said he had “no dispute with Miitig’s government,” but that his “problem is with the General National Congress.”
Even so, he stressed that, for the moment, his government was “still responsible for the daily management of the state,” ending prospects of an immediate end to the crisis.
Former general Khalifa Haftar has exploited the confusion to rally support among the public, politicians and the army, analysts say, after he unleashed an offensive in the eastern city last month to purge Libya of the Islamists he brands “terrorists.”
On Monday, as clashes raged in Benghazi between militants and forces loyal to Haftar, Miitig convened his ministers.
The GNC’s vice-president, liberal MP Ezzedine Al Awami, called Miitig’s installation as prime minister a “coup d’etat.”
The Islamist-backed authorities have accused Haftar of launching a coup and denounced him as an outlaw.
Miitig is due to lead the country to legislative elections on June 25, with the new parliament replacing the GNC and forming a new cabinet.
Observers say he is backed by the Islamists in parliament, who consider him the best guarantor of their political survival ahead of this month’s vote.
“The face-off between Miitig and Al Thani illustrates the showdown between the Islamists and the liberals,” said Iyad Ben Omar, a Libyan analyst.
“Both of them are clinging to power with the elections expected to take place in just a few weeks, which proves that they are pursuing their own political agendas,” he added.
AFP
