The Tripoli-based Ministry of Interior yesterday held a major exhibition at the disused Tripoli International Airport and held its first gathering of thousands of members.
The congregation was attended by Abdallah al-Rafi, a member of the Presidential Council, Abd al-Hamid al-Dabaiba, Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Libyan government, and Maj. Gen. Imad Mustafa al-Trabelsi, acting interior minister.
The Tripoli government is pulling out all the stops – or is it blowing hot air?
The rally is seen by many as a capitulation of the Ministry of Interior, the official national police agency, to powerful militias in Tripoli and western Libya. This is also an attempt to send a message to the international community that the Tripoli government is in control.
The presence of the Presidential Council and Prime Minister al-Dabaiba in Tripoli shows that there is unity at the top of the state, at least on this issue. Al Rafi is from Zawia, a militia-controlled city that is a hub for fuel smuggling but is not controlled by Tripoli government security forces.
Will militias withdraw from Tripoli?
At yesterday's display, Trabelsi reiterated that militias would soon withdraw from central Tripoli. He claimed that public police forces (rather than militias) “guard the state's borders.”
But the jury is still out on whether removing all militias from Tripoli and securing Libya's borders is a realistic goal or just fanaticism. Are powerful militias such as Gnewa Kikri's Support Stabilizer and Kara's Rada/SDF ready to withdraw from Tripoli?
Will we protect all of Libya's borders?
Tripoli effectively imposes its will on all four corners of Libya's vast borders: Egypt (under Khalifa Haftar's rule) to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west. Is it possible?
In these areas, there is no incentive for local residents to combat the smuggling of goods and people. In fact, just last week, one Sudanese admitted: libya herald He was reportedly smuggled into Libya by local security members from the Kufra region.
Libya-Tunisia border crossing reopened by official (non-militia) security forces
Acting Interior Minister Trabelsi also claimed that the main Libya-Tunisia and Ras Ajder border crossings would soon be reopened by “competent (non-military) agencies of both countries.”
Achieving this and ending a decades-old culture of smuggling across this border will be a major challenge for the Tripoli government. Local residents from all the way to Zawia now consider this culture a right.
Taking control of Zawia – a litmus test for Tripoli?
Moreover, will Tripoli be able to seize control of Zawia, 47 kilometers west of the capital, take control of its refinery and end mass fuel smuggling? Focusing on recent clashes between the government's official security forces and local Amazigh/Zwaran forces, this will be a major litmus test for Tripoli.
Visible security forces presence on Tripoli streets
“The Ministry of the Interior aims to impose security and stability, and today all police officers are on duty in the streets and squares,” Interior Minister Trabelsi said in a speech. There is no doubt that there is a visible presence of security forces with various insignias on their vehicles at many of Tripoli's major intersections and roundabouts.
Security for civilians and militias?
But against whom will they defend Tripoli? What is the security threat? Is it from unarmed citizens? Are serious armed crimes committed by civilians occurring in Tripoli? Who are the real enemies of internal destabilization? Are civilians an out-of-control militia?
Aren't all the major security collapses in recent years a case of militia against militia, or militia against government police or military?
Assume that militia leaders can control their members
Interior Minister Trabelsi also asserted that “there is great cooperation between the Interior Ministry and the security and military departments.'' The assumption here is that the militia leader has complete control over its members.
Central Tripoli militias clash on second day of Eid
For example, on the second day of Eid festivities (April 11), as gunshots could be heard throughout the city, clashes between militias in central Tripoli occurred as families rushed to safety and entertained children. It is said that it was an outbreak. Apparently the militia leadership did not sanction them. If this is true, and that's an assumption, then this collision had no effect. No militia leader came forward and apologized, and announced that the culprits were not to be investigated, arrested, demoted, or fired.
The Tripoli government, living in a parallel universe, did not comment or mention the incident. I was buried under the carpet again. The Tripoli government continues to insist that it has the right to rule and that security is good, and continues to call for the reopening of embassies and the return of foreign planes and businesses.
The jury is still out on whether the militia leaders really want to hand over power to Tripoli government forces or are just pretending, although militia leaders may. has much to lose by giving up coercive power. It is this coercive power over unarmed civilians in governments and bureaucracies that gives them wealth and influence.
So while most militia leaders have already earned and stashed millions of dollars overseas and bought alternative housing in case they flee, many rank-and-file militias are still scooping up illicit wealth. They have no incentive to give up enforcement.
Militia will be the first to fire without taking responsibility.
After all, what has become clear in various militia-related clashes in recent years is that militias are prepared to fire first at the official police and army, and then at each other, while the official police and army do not open fire. This means that he has received orders to do so. He has shown self-control.
The Tripoli government feels at least some responsibility and responsibility, and is concerned about the loss of life. Militia groups demonstrated complete impunity. They don't take responsibility and there's no accountability. And once again, they know this and are making the most of it.
Ministry of Interior holds thousands of people for first-ever exhibition in Tripoli (libyaherald.com)
After local militias lose control of Libya-Tunisia border crossing: Interior minister vows to use force to regain control (libyaherald.com)
Armed clash between government forces and local Zuwara forces at border crossing between Libya and Tunisia – Tunisia closes border (libyaherald.com)
Five months later, GNMTC GM Tawati is kidnapped again by armed militia (libyaherald.com)
Recent brief militia clashes in Tripoli have wide international implications: analysis (libyaherald.com)
UNSMIL condemns clashes between Tripoli central militias on second day of Eid (libyaherald.com)
Armed clash between government forces and local Zuwara forces at border crossing between Libya and Tunisia – Tunisia closes border (libyaherald.com)
Five months later, GNMTC GM Tawati is kidnapped again by armed militia (libyaherald.com)
Pro-Aldabaiba and pro-Bashaga militias clash in Wilshafana district (libyaherald.com)
State-sanctioned militias clash in southern Tripoli suburbs – kidnappings, injuries, deaths reported (libyaherald.com)
Tripoli security plan empties 6 more militia strongholds | (libyaherald.com)
23 paramilitary locations in Tripoli vacated as part of security plan | (libyaherald.com)
11 unofficial militias in Tripoli closed as part of security plan | (libyaherald.com)
Top-level security council convenes over Zawia militia clash (libyaherald.com)
Deadly clashes between militias in Zawia – another short-term ceasefire reached, but root causes remain (libyaherald.com)
Pro-Aldabaiba and pro-Bashaga militias clash in Wilshafana district (libyaherald.com)
32 killed, 159 injured in massive clash between militias in Tripoli (libyaherald.com)
Al-Dabaiba calls for closure of central Tripoli militia compound (libyaherald.com)
Al-Dabaiba military prosecutor issues arrest warrant and travel ban for Bashagha and his allies (libyaherald.com)
Al-Dabaiba attacks revenue-generating projects of rival Nawasi militia (libyaherald.com)
More Tripoli militia clashes as battle for legitimacy continues (libyaherald.com)
Presidential Council Disbands All Joint Military Operations Chambers, Including Juwaili (libyaherald.com)
Opposing militia commanders fail to meet agreed to on Saturday – could meet in coming days (libyaherald.com)
Tensions in Tripoli ease after militia commanders agree to return troops to base (libyaherald.com)
Calm returns after 16 killed, 52 injured in clashes between Tripoli and Misrata militias (libyaherald.com)
Tensions rise in Libya as Misrata militia clashes (libyaherald.com)
Militia clashes cause civilian deaths, injuries and property damage in central Tripoli (libyaherald.com)
Tripoli's two leading militias clash in town center (libyaherald.com)
Interior Ministry condemns deadly clashes and roadblocks between Tripoli militias (libyaherald.com)
UNSMIL 'deeply concerned' by Tripoli central militia clashes and mobilization around capital (libyaherald.com)
State-sanctioned militias clash in southern Tripoli suburbs – kidnappings, injuries, deaths reported (libyaherald.com)
Militia 'storms' hotel in Corinthia in protest against new intelligence chief and foreign minister Mangoush calling for Menfi's presidency (libyaherald.com)
US Embassy offers support to NOC after militia attempts to attack it (libyaherald.com)
Armed militias fail to attack NOC Tripoli headquarters (libyaherald.com)
Seraj Media Foundation head released by militia (libyaherald.com)
UNSMIL concerned over arbitrary 'sabotage' arrest of eastern Libyan nationals arriving in Tripoli by paramilitary groups (libyaherald.com)
