Latest news with #StabilitySupportApparatus
Libya Review
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
UK Report Warns of Renewed Tripoli Clashes
A new British analysis by Middle East Monitor has warned of a potential escalation in armed clashes in Libya's capital, Tripoli, as the government of Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba continues to hold power despite intensifying public protests and worsening living conditions. The report states that Dbaiba's government is under immense pressure following rare, unified demonstrations calling for his removal. The protests erupted amid mounting grievances over mismanagement, public sector failures, and growing corruption. This unrest has already prompted the resignation of three ministers. Dbaiba's televised address on May 18 was met with widespread rejection and reportedly exacerbated public anger. The report highlighted how the prime minister's appointment of militia leader Abdel-Ghani al-Kikli — known as 'Ghneiwa' — as head of the Stability Support Apparatus, and the allocation of $132 million to him in 2022 alone, has further fueled resentment. Efforts by the Libyan House of Representatives to replace Dbaiba have reportedly stalled due to fears of losing international recognition. Meanwhile, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has proposed four potential political frameworks, all calling for the formation of a new government to oversee elections during a 24-month transitional period. The report expects UN envoy Hanna Serwaa Tetteh to present these proposals to the UN Security Council on June 24. However, none of the plans are binding, leaving room for a flexible political roadmap based on the UN's discretion. The analysis described the Dbaiba administration as one of the most corrupt and dysfunctional since 2011. It attributed Libya's prolonged instability to NATO's intervention and subsequent failed international alliances that failed to secure peace. Despite the current pause in protests, now limited to Friday night demonstrations, the report attributes the temporary lull to the Eid holiday and the availability of cash liquidity — suggesting the calm may be short-lived. The article concluded that Dbaiba is unlikely to step down voluntarily, as he remains backed by powerful Misrata-based militias. This makes another round of violent conflict increasingly likely, with the government continuing to rely on propaganda, financial incentives, and armed groups to maintain its grip on power amid ongoing public fund mismanagement. Quoting a Western diplomat, the report stated: 'Frankly, nobody wants to appear as supporting a failed state — but no one is willing to fix it either.' Tags: Abdel-Hamid DbaibaArmed Clasheslibyatripoli
Libya Herald
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Libya Herald
Aldabaiba hails recent security operations, vows to end militias – warns against illegal eastern parallel spending leading to inflation and LD devaluation
Speaking at yesterday's 2nd Ordinary Cabinet Meeting of 2025 held at Tripoli's Al-Nasser Woods Complex (formerly Rixos Complex), Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister, Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba, said that the recent security operations (clashes with the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA) militia and Abdelraouf Kara's Special Deterrence Force (SDF) / RADA, and their allies), were successful. He blamed the subsequent disorder, fear and damage caused by these clashes and counter-clashes on the militias. Aldabaiba also called on the Attorney General, the Audit Bureau, and the Administrative Control Authority to investigate the over LD 100 billion of parallel spending by the eastern Libyan administration. This parallel spending, he warned will increase inflation, cost of living and reduce the foreign exchange value of the Libyan dinar. It will lead to the economic ruin of Libya, he warned. Security initiative Aldabaiba hailed the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Defence for their role in imposing security on behalf of the legitimate state. He stressed that the people support state security and not unaccountable militias and that he had received wide international support for the recent anti-militia security operation. On the other hand, he criticised, domestically and internationally, those who supported these militias – implying Hafter and the eastern Libyan administration – militias that engage in illegal activity including illegal detention and imprisonment. Demobilisation of militias, Interior Ministry and Presidency Council forces Speaking at the prompting of his PM on planned security reforms, Acting Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi bemoaned the fact that militias were better armed and stronger (and actually more battle experienced due to their fighting in the February 2011 revolution) than the official Interior Ministry forces. He said there can be no state without security and proposed (to applause from the PM and cabinet members) the demobilization of militias and some Interior Ministry and Presidency Council forces. The plan to demobilise even some Interior Ministry forces implies, and simultaneous confirms, if needed, that some Interior Ministry forces were infiltrated and controlled by militias. He called on all current members of these forces intended for demobilisation to join the Interior Ministry or the Defence Ministry if they wished to continue their careers in the security forces. Interjecting, the PM also vowed to demobilise any security forces under his Office. Continuing, Trabelsi said how can Interior Ministry forces operate and respond to government calls for help and intervention if there are forces operating in the field that are stronger. Trabelsi said how can he be held responsible and accountable if there are other stronger forces operating in the field. Interjecting during Trabelsi's speech again, Aldabaiba stressed that this is the state's project that will be implemented. He warned militias hiding behind tribes and cities, saying that time was over. The Libyan people want a strong state Aldabaiba said the Libyan people want a strong state. He said militias must not be feared and that there is no going back (to a state dominated by militias). There is no other option, he stressed, we must impose the state on them. Militia coercion of Ministers Aldabaiba pointed to various ministers (which the cameras refrained from showing), implying that they were coerced to make decisions by militias. ''No more coercion of Ministers or Ministries like the coercion of the Minister of Health (who is currently under arrest) into importing medicine from a non-medicine origination country (Iraq)'' Aldabaiba revealed that militias even interfered in the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. He vowed to refer them to investigation after the pilgrimage is over. He warned his attentive Ministers that there will be no more excuses for them and their officials for giving into militia coercion. Those who cannot perform their jobs (due to militia coercion) should resign, he stated. We will no longer keep quiet on militia coercion, he vowed. We will pursue those who do not give in the state, he explained. Resuming his speech, Interior Minister Trabelsi said his ministry was following up on all crimes from 2012, whether criminal or financial, and referring them to the Attorney General's Office. To which Aldabaiba added ''we will not protect any Minister or his employees against the law''.
Reuters
04-06-2025
- General
- Reuters
UN calls for probe into mass graves at Libya detention centres
GENEVA, June 4 (Reuters) - The United Nations rights office called on Wednesday for a independent investigation into the discovery of mass graves at detention centres in Libya's capital Tripoli. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said it was "shocked" by gross human rights violations uncovered at official and unofficial detention facilities run by the Stability Support Apparatus, a security institution. It was established to uphold the rule of law and falls under the Presidential Council that came to power in 2021 with the Government of National Unity of Abdulhamid Dbeibah through a U.N.-backed process. But Libya, a major oil producer in the Mediterranean, has known little law and order since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi and eventually divided the country between warring eastern and western factions. The OHCHR said the discovery of dozens of bodies and suspected instruments of torture and abuse confirmed longstanding findings by the U.N. that human rights violations were committed at such sites. "We call on the Libyan authorities to conduct independent, impartial and transparent investigations into these discoveries," OHCHR said in a statement. It urged the authorities to preserve evidence and grant Libya's forensic teams, as well as the United Nations, full access to the sites. Outright war fighting in Libya abated with a ceasefire in 2020 but efforts to end the political crisis have failed, with major factions occasionally joining forces in armed clashes and competing for control over Libya's substantial energy resources. Armed clashes erupted on Monday evening and gunfire echoed in the centre and other parts of Tripoli following reports that the commander of one of its most powerful armed groups had been killed, three residents told Reuters by phone.
Libya Review
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Anti-Government Protests Sweep Western Libya for 3rd Week
For the third Friday in a row, massive crowds have taken to the streets of Libya's capital, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbaiba and the dissolution of his Government of National Unity. The protests, now entering their third week, have become one of the most sustained and serious challenges to the current leadership since it came to power in 2021. Thousands of protesters gathered in Tripoli's Martyrs' Square waving red cards, a symbolic demand for the government to step down, and chanting slogans such as 'The people want the fall of the government.' The demonstrators accuse Dbaiba of failing to deliver on his promises to improve security, fight corruption, and lead the country to elections after years of political division. The latest wave of anger was sparked by the killing of militia leader Abdulghani al-Kikli, known as 'Ghneiwa,' in mid-May. The incident led to violent clashes among rival armed groups after Dbaiba suddenly dissolved the Stability Support Apparatus, which Ghneiwa had headed. The resulting chaos revealed how deeply militias still control large parts of the capital and how little authority the civilian government actually holds. In a televised address, Dbaiba called the violence a 'shared mistake' and blamed the ongoing instability on rogue armed factions. However, many Libyans saw his words as weak and evasive. Fueling further outrage are revelations that cancer medication was imported from Iraq under pressure from militias—an admission made by Dbaiba himself, which has raised new questions about corruption and government complicity. What began in Tripoli has now spread to other cities, including Misrata, Zawiya, Sabratha, and Surman. Misrata, Dbaiba's hometown, witnessed significant protests last week, signaling that dissatisfaction is not limited to the capital. At the same time, several government ministers have resigned, suggesting that Dbaiba is losing support from within his own administration. As the protests grow in size and scope, Libya's House of Representatives has moved to form a new unified government. Lawmakers met in Benghazi this week to hear proposals from 12 candidates vying to lead the next phase of the country's political transition. Whether this move will calm public anger or further deepen divisions remains to be seen. What is clear is that Libya is at a political crossroads. With the public demanding change and institutions showing signs of fracture, the coming weeks may determine whether Dbaiba can cling to power or if the protest movement marks the end of his leadership. Tags: Abdul Hamid DbaibalibyaparliamentProteststripoliWest Libya
Libya Review
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Will Russia Attack Europe Through Libya?
Russia is reportedly preparing to install medium and long-range missile systems at the Sebha military base in southern Libya, aiming them at Europe, according to a source cited by Agenzia Nova. The base, located in the Fezzan region under General Khalifa Haftar's control, is seen as a strategic launch site due to its proximity to European territories such as Lampedusa. The plan, said to be in an advanced stage, is allegedly supported by Russia and Belarus. The report claimed that Haftar, together with his son Saddam, is reportedly using the recent chaos in Tripoli to push towards the capital. This follows the assassination of Abdulghani al-Kikli, known as 'Ghaniwa', leader of the Stability Support Apparatus, by Brigade 444 – a militia loyal to Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbaiba. The killing sparked one of the most violent escalations in Tripoli in years. Sources claim the Russians are backing Haftar's expansion and may deploy advanced air defence systems like the Tor-M1 to protect the Sebha installation. The system, recently displayed in Benghazi, can intercept enemy missiles, drones and aircraft. Another layer to the alleged plan includes a proposed transfer of one million Palestinians from Gaza to Libya, with the mediation of Turkey and possible US backing. This transfer would reportedly involve Palestinians who do not support Hamas, and those resettled in Libya could receive citizenship from Haftar in exchange for political loyalty and control of Libya's oil assets. A second relocation, involving around 800,000 Gazans, could go to Syria under a separate US-brokered arrangement with the new Syrian leadership. While the reports remain unverified, they have sparked speculation about regional re-alignments involving Russia, Turkey, the US, and Gulf countries. Cyrenaican outlets have also reported Haftar's troops joining NATO's 'Anatolian Phoenix 25' exercises in Turkey. Between 1,500 and 2,000 LNA fighters are allegedly training there and acquiring Turkish drones. Tags: europekhalifa haftarlibyaMissilesRussiaSebha
