Libyan prime minister announces restoration of security in Tripoli after clashes

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh confirmed that security has been restored in the capital, Tripoli, following armed clashes that erupted on May 12.

The violence, which primarily affected the Salah al-Din and Abu Salim neighborhoods, followed the death of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, the head of the Stability Support Apparatus, an armed group affiliated with the Presidential Council, Caliber.Az reports citing Turkish media.

Dbeibeh praised the efforts of Libyan security forces in containing the violence, particularly the ministries of interior and defence, as well as members of the army and police. "I commend the ministries of interior and defence, and all members of the army and police, for the major achievement in restoring security and asserting the authority of the state in the capital," he said in a post on X.

The Prime Minister further emphasized the importance of state authority in maintaining order and security in Libya. "What has been achieved today affirms that legitimate state institutions are capable of protecting the nation and preserving the dignity of its citizens," he added. Dbeibeh also called for an end to the presence of "irregular groups" and the reinforcement of state institutions, asserting that "there is no place in Libya except for state institutions, and no authority except that of the law."

The clashes began after al-Kikli’s death, with local media, including Libya Al Ahrar TV, reporting intermittent gunfire across Tripoli. The 444th Brigade, a unit under the Libyan Defence Ministry, was reportedly involved in the fighting with forces linked to al-Kikli’s Stability Support Apparatus.

The Libyan Defence Ministry confirmed the operation’s success, stating that its forces had gained full control over the Abu Salim neighborhood. "The military operation to contain the clashes ended successfully," a ministry statement said.

Despite the restoration of security in Tripoli, Libya continues to struggle with instability and political fragmentation. Since 2022, the country has been divided between two rival governments: the internationally recognized Government of National Unity, led by Dbeibeh, which controls the western part of the country, and a parallel government based in Benghazi, led by Osama Hammad, appointed by the House of Representatives, which controls the east and some southern areas.

The prolonged political divide has hindered efforts to hold national elections, which remain a key objective of United Nations-led peace initiatives. As a result, Libya remains in a state of political and security crisis, with sporadic clashes and instability continuing to affect the country’s prospects for peace and reconciliation.

By Vafa Guliyeva