Bashagha: “We Are One Kilometer Away From a Successful End”

The Misratan Minister of Interior of the Government of National Accord (GNA), Fathi Bashagha, whose candidacy is supported by the Muslim Brotherhood, expressed pride in participating in the “transparent and democratic process” as he put it. However, for many Libyans his words ring hollow given his violent role in Operation Libya Dawn which derailed Libya’s fledgling democracy and divided the country.

(LIBYA, 1 February 2021) – The Misratan Minister of Interior of the Government of National Accord (GNA), Fathi Bashagha said in a tweet on his official account that as candidate for the post of head of the Government of National Unity he believes that New Libya cannot wait any longer.

He said: “Very proud to take part in this transparent and democratic process as a candidate to the position of the National Unity Government’s PM position.”

He went on to add that failure was not an option, “We are one kilometer away from a successful ending of a long hectic process.” perhaps alluding to his long and bloody march since 2011, along with his role in Operation Libya Dawn (Fajr Libya) that destroyed democratic transition in the country, and his subsequent role.

أحرقه سنة 2014 وأشعل حوله حرب الـ 30 يومًا في 2018 .. باشاآغا 2021 : عدوان حفتر هو من دمر مطار طرابلس

Bashagha’s description of the Libyan political dialogue process as “democratic” on his Twitter account sparked widespread ridicule and criticism from Libyans on social media, because there was no “consensus” with the “democracy” that brought him to the House of Representatives (HoR), that he boycotts until today and still has not resigned from his seat as an elected member of Misrata.

Others said that Bashagha’s talk of the “last kilometer” refers rather to the final goal of the process that began with the coup on democracy and invasion of the capital Tripoli by Libya Dawn. Operation Libya Dawn was planned by Bashagha, as confirmed by Osama al-Juwaili when he spoke about Bashagha and Operation Libya Dawn that brought division to the country after the Parliamentary elections in which the Muslim Brotherhood performed badly and lost its grip on power.

Bashagha refused to condemn his actions or those of Salah Badi who was field commander during Operation Libya Dawn, because they think they are beyond reproach as they are fighting Tripoli militias, which he holds responsible for all the problems suffered by Libya and the Libyans. And yet he turns a blind eye to the fact that he still leads a militia himself, the Hatin Battalion, along with his friends affiliated to the Misratan Military Council and its allies, such as Mohammed al-Hussan, Abdulsalam Zoubi, and Amir Al-Atwat.

VIDEO | #Bashagha on Syrian #terrorists: They are neither mercenaries but sent by #Turkey. Whosoever is sent to #Libya is affiliated with the Turkish government according to our signed agreements between Ankara and the #UN-recognized GNA. @France24_arhttps://t.co/PXsXOlj8Og

— صحيفة المرصد الليبية (@ObservatoryLY) February 25, 2020

However, many jurists point out that the candidacy of Bashagha and other parliamentarians is fundamentally illegal because it contradicts rule no. 177 of the rules of procedure of the House of Representatives (HoR), which states that no elected deputy shall be nominated for the post of Prime Minister without resignation in advance. This applies to Bashagha as he has not determined his legal position until now from his election as a member of HoR in 2014.

AlMarsad has just learn from official sources at the Presidential Council that, to circumvent this legal hurdle, Bashagha has written is resignation from his current position and informed UNSMIL’s Stephanie Williams, but they agreed not to submit it to Fayez al-Sarraj, or report it, until ascertaining the success of the dialogue and his chances of winning the position of Prime Minister for the new interim government.

Official sources from the Presidential Council: #Bashagha wrote his resignation from his current position and informed #Williams. They agreed not to submit it to #Sarraj or report it until ascertaining the success of the dialogue and his chances of winning the PM position. #Libya pic.twitter.com/SGmhEMkuK1

— صحيفة المرصد الليبية (@ObservatoryLY) February 1, 2021

He is currently the preferred candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood. The head of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Justice and Construction Party (JCP), Mohammed Sawan, said at a meeting of pro-JCP media heads, that their first candidate for Prime Minister was Fathi Bashagha and urged them to do everything possible to support him.

#AlMarsad Sources: Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed #Sawan, at a meeting attended by three heads of Justice and Construction Party channels and sites, said their first candidate for Prime Minister was Fathi #Bashagha and urged them to do everything possible to support him. #Libya pic.twitter.com/lAcN3Mq0d2

— صحيفة المرصد الليبية (@ObservatoryLY) February 1, 2021

He also said party’s existence would be threatened unless a new government is led and formed by Fathi Bashagha and which lasts for at least 2 or 3 years. This confirms the suspicion of many that electing Bashagha and other Islamists would mean derailing December 2021 elections completely.

#AlMarsad Sources: #Muslim #Brotherhood's Mohammed #Sawan said at a meeting that the party's existence is threatened unless a new government is led by Fathi #Bashagha and lasts for at least 2 or 3 years. #Libya pic.twitter.com/T0IXkMMlCV

— صحيفة المرصد الليبية (@ObservatoryLY) January 31, 2021

© ALMARSAD ENGLISH (2021)

FURTHER LINKS

Documents | Bashagha Grants Contracts Worth Quarter of a Billion LYD to His Son’s Al-Faiah Holding Company

DOCUMENTS | Bashagha Acquires Hyundai Agency in the Name of the Interior Ministry

Bashagha to Akar: We Appreciate Turkey’s Role in Repelling the Aggression Against Tripoli

Muslim Brotherhood’s Justice and Construction Party Supports Bashagha to Lead LPDF’s New “Interim” Government