Libya’s Presidential Council Head Mohamed al-Menfi and Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah on Sunday, August 9 called for the unification of the country’s military institution, describing it as essential to restoring security, stability and national sovereignty.
Speaking on the 86th anniversary of the establishment of the nucleus of the Libyan Army, observed annually on Aug. 9, al-Menfi said efforts to unify the military would continue despite the challenges facing the country.
He said the military should operate under “unified civilian leadership” and remain focused on protecting Libya’s security, stability and sovereignty, away from political divisions.
Dbeibah similarly said a unified national army was one of the key pillars of the state and a major guarantee of its security and stability.
“There can be no fully-fledged state amid multiple armed forces or weapons operating outside state institutions,” he said, stressing the need to place all weapons under state and legal authority.
Libya has remained divided between rival military and political factions since the 2011 fall of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. The country is currently split between the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and an eastern administration backed by the eastern-based Libyan National Army.
