Libya: Haftar’s army, Dbeibah throw support behind ongoing popular demonstrations

Libya’s east-based strongman Khalifa Haftar and one of Libya’s Prime Ministers Abdul Hamid Dbeibah have expressed their support for the ongoing large-scale demonstrations calling for elections and better living condition in the oil-rich North African country.

Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) said in a statement it declares its “full support for the popular will and for the demands of the citizens.”

The LNA also called on the protesters to demonstrate peacefully, and urged them not to vandalize public and private facilities. It also affirmed that it will “take the necessary measures” to preserve the independence of the Libyan will “if any party attempted to unilaterally abuse it for the benefit of any foreign entity”.

In a separate reaction, Dbeibah who heads the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) also threw his support behind the protest, according to Libya Observer.

On Twitter the former businessman turned politician said he joins the voices of those protesters demanding the holding of elections and departure of all current political bodies, including his government.

He took aim at the House of Representatives (HoR), the internationally recognized Libyan legislature. He blamed the parliament of hindering the holding of elections.

Protesters Friday stormed the HoR headquarters in Tobruk as part of nation-wide demonstration calling on the current various state bodies to step down and urging for the holding of elections.

The HoR in February sacked Dbeibah arguing that his mandate came to an end on Dec. 24, the date of failed elections. The HoR chose Fati Bashagha, a former Interior Minister to replace Dbeibah.

Dbeibah has refused to resign and vowed to surrender power only to an elected administration.