Nisreen Suleiman Tripoli – “Al-Quds Al-Arabi”: Discussions escalated about the security situation in Libya after years of division following the decision of US President Joe Biden to extend the state of emergency in the country for another year. The decision coincided with a crime that caused controversy in the western region, represented by the liquidation of ten people. In one house, suddenly, on the night of February 17th. Two days ago, US President Joe Biden decided to extend the state of emergency in Libya for another year, beyond February 25, 2025, and to refer the notice of extension to the US Congress. According to the White House, Biden stated in his letter to Congress that lifting the applicable sanctions threatens military escalation inside Libya, and that the situation there still poses a major threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. He added in his message that those he called those who rejected dialogue and obstructed the democratic transition were still interested in exploiting the wealth of the Libyan people to advance their narrow interests and perpetuate the conflict in the country. Biden explained that many of these divisions relate to access to resources, adding that there will remain a serious risk that if the assets of the Libyan state are not protected, they will be embezzled by parties determined to undermine the ongoing UN peace process, according to him. Biden also indicated that diverting these resources could prolong and deepen the current instability in Libya, which would benefit “ISIS” and other “terrorist groups” that pose a serious threat to the national security of the United States and the security of regional partners, according to his description. On the 19th of this month, the Abu Salim area witnessed a killing incident that claimed the lives of 10 people inside a house, including members of the Stability Support Service. Yesterday, the Public Prosecutor’s Office reported that it had identified the perpetrators of the Abu Salim incident, which resulted in the killing of 10 people inside a house a few days ago. After completing the investigations, the Public Prosecutor assigned the Tripoli Security Directorate to supervise the arrest and bringing of those accused in the incident. The Public Prosecution said that the coroner’s reports indicated that the death was the result of gunshot wounds. Before US President Joe Biden’s decision, 42 members of the House of Representatives from the Western Region stressed the need to reveal the facts in the recent Abu Salim incident and prosecute those involved. In a statement, the members expressed their strong condemnation of whoever committed this crime, whoever he was, calling on the relevant security agencies to investigate it and the Public Prosecution to expedite revealing the truth about those involved in this crime. The statement also urged an investigation into all crimes that occurred in all territories of the country without exception, and to reveal the truth about their perpetrators, in order to preserve the sanctity of the soul. The statement affirmed that they are refraining from directing blanket accusations against any persons or entities, until the investigations carried out by the concerned authorities are completed, which they stress must carry out their duty in this regard, and deny that they have issued any statement directing accusations in this regard against any specific entity or persons. The members urged the need for all security and judicial authorities to cooperate to achieve security and stability throughout the country, thus contributing to the success of national efforts to end the transitional stages and accelerate the pace of the political process to initiate presidential and legislative elections. The Interior Minister in charge of the National Unity Government, Imad Trabelsi, had confirmed in a press conference that an investigation team had been assigned to investigate the killing that occurred in Abu Salim. Al-Trabelsi added that the criminal investigation began removing the fingerprints and some belongings, stressing that he issued instructions to the security services in Tripoli to uncover the truth, according to what he said. He explained that there is no obstruction to the investigation, and that all parties are cooperating, noting that upon completion of the investigation, those involved will be brought in, according to him. Trabelsi stated that the investigation into the incident is confidential, calling on anyone who has information useful to the investigation to contact the ministry, stressing that no one is above the law, as he described it. Observers say that the Abu Salim incident, in which ten people were killed according to official statements, and many other similar incidents, demonstrated that putting an end to the phenomenon of armed groups legitimized by the government in western Libya has become a greater priority than political agreements and elections, which are threatened by any formation that may not be satisfied with what it produces. The Fund, at a time when the old/new talk about merging the two governments or forming a single temporary executive authority returned, without any encouraging signs of actors accepting this proposal. Estimates of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy indicate that the number of hybrid armed groups has increased significantly, after the number of its members reached about 30,000 members, warning of the influence of semi-official or hybrid armed formations, as it describes it, and stressing that they enjoy state privileges and mafia-like control over the country. And its resources.
It confirms the fears of many Libyans that the fragile security situation will prevent the realization of their hopes for holding elections soon. There are also fears that these and other security breaches may be used by parties as an excuse to cast doubt on the possibility of holding these elections.
