Expert: Libya contains 8000 extremists threatening neighbors

A security report, issued by Chairperson of African Commission for Peace and Reconciliation Ahmed Mizab, explained the current security situation in Libya’s neighboring states. It praised the Algerian strategy to overcome the challenges, while warned that the dangers are still surrounding the country.

Mizab added that the Tunisian government managed to achieve notable progress in the pre-emptive operations, while he expressed his concern over the repercussions of the current regional interactions on the security position inside the country. He also praised the Egyptian strategy, saying that it performed the major role to keep the its integrity.

Regarding the position in Libya, the Algerian expert stressed that there are two scenarios threatening the country; the first is a foreign military interference with no coordination, while the second is an escalated clash between the conflicting militias which could widen the bridge of gap between the Libyan factions.

He added, “Libya contain over eight thousand persons loyal to ISIS across the country, and over 150 thousand others affiliating to the groups’ cells around the world.” He described such numbers as the silent danger.

He underlined the notable retreat in the number of extremists joining the group in Tunisia, praising the efforts exerted by the Tunisian governmental security to eliminate a large number of extremists existed on the Tunisian territories.

He stressed the need for finding serious solution for the phenomenon of arms smuggling, saying that such a phenomenon is one of the major reasons of concern among Libya’s neighboring states. He described it as the major challenge facing North African countries.