Sarraj’s government warns of any violations in Libyan capital

Libyan presidential council warned of the entry of any groups to the Libyan capital of Tripoli during the coming period without coordination with the Libyan authorities related to the internationally-recognized national accordance government. It stressed that they will take strict measures against any party working to commit any violations in Tripoli during the coming period.
Abu Sleem municipal council said today it holds the Presidency Council (PC) responsible for the violence that gripped parts of Tripoli over the weekend and badly damaged its own district which bore the brunt of the fighting.
The municipality said the PC had failed to install even a semblance of security that could protect Tripoli’s civilians. For this reason, it insisted that the PC had to be held to account. It should also, said the municipality, stick to its promise to provide compensation for the damage, not just over the weekend but in past fighting.
It also urged the Attorney-General to investigate the events of the past few days, particularly within Abu Sleem, where it said there was aggression by “armed groups outside the law to destabilise security and terrorise the people”.
The Fakhr Libya coalition, which supports the former GNC, focused their initial thrust last Friday on pro-PC militiaman Ghneiwa and his Abu Sleem Central Security Force in an unsuccessful attempt to move on the Rixos Hotel and the nearby Camp 77.
In the same context, Pro-Presidency Council militiaman Hashem Bishr and his ally the Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade (TRB), led by Haitham Tajouri, have welcomed the return of displaced people from Tripoli currently residing in Zintan – but insisted that no outside force could enter the capital and accompany returnees.
The pro-Libyan National Army (LNA) and Zintan-based Special Operations Force announced yesterday they would oversee the return of 20,000 displaced residents back to Tripoli under its protection. Bishr praised the idea but said it must be coordinated and organised with the Ministry of Interior. However, he added:”The entry of an armed force from outside Tripoli is unacceptable.”
The sentiment was echoed by the TRB who after pointing out that displaced people did not need permission to return to their Tripoli homes also said there was no need for a “force” to protect them. It stated flatly that it would “not allow any armed group to enter Tripoli”.
The Zintani brigade, commanded by Emad Trabelsi, has said that it is neutral even though it comes under the command of the LNA and its Beida-based government. Yesterday, it insisted “The Force reminds people that it has men from different areas of the nation and it confirms that it is not against any side in Tripoli”. The planned return is supposed to happen in the next three days.
Until 2014 when they were thrown out when the capital was seized by Libya Dawn militias, Zintani forces had controlled Tripoli International Airport and the region around it. They had taken the airport in 2011 during the Revolution. After they had withdrawn the airport and several wraircraft were destroyed by fire.
On the political side, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, Martin Kobler, is following reports of ongoing fighting in Tripoli with grave concern. He called on rival groups to stop fighting immediately and put Libyan national interest first.
“Voices of reason should prevail for the benefit of the country,” said Martin Kobler. “Political aims must not be pursued through violence. Civilians must be protected. I remind all parties of their duty to respect the provisions of international humanitarian and international human rights law”, he stated.
He expressed his full support to the Presidency Council as the sole legitimate executive authority in Libya, as stipulated in UN Security Council Resolutions 2259 and 2278.  He urges all parties in Libya to engage seriously in the political process and towards national reconciliation.