Libya: Bashagha government seizes rival administration’s office in Benghazi

Libya’s new government led by Fathi Bashagha has taken over the Benghazi office of the rival administration with the help of forces loyal to rebel commander Khalifa Haftar, Libya Observer reports.

According to the media which cites Al-Hadath TV, owned by Haftar’s son, gunmen loyal to Haftar stormed Tuesday the premises of the Government of National Unity (GNU) and dismissed all employees before they handed the premises over to the Deputy PM of the Bashagha government that was appointed by the House of Representatives (HoR) Ali Al-Gotrani.

The handover reportedly took place in the presence of Deputy PM of the GNU, Rida Al-Fartis.

The move came amid refusal by the GNU to set aside following Bashagha’s appointment and confirmation as the country’s Prime Minister by the HoR.

The HoR replaced last month the GNU leader Abdelhamid Dbeibah over his alleged failure to organize the presidential elections scheduled on Dec. 24.

has refused to surrender power to the former Interior Minister and made it clear that he will only leave office after the establishment of an elected administration.

The outgoing Premier has closed the air space of Mitiga airport to prevent Bashagha from entering capital Tripoli. The Prime Minister-designate however has vowed to bring his team to the capital peacefully in “few days”.

Haftar who controls much of the country’s eastern region has endorsed Bashagha’s appointment.