By Samia Belkadi, translated for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Libya Business News.
The political and security crises in Libya are developing in tandem and becoming more complicated with each passing day. While the bloody battles have been worsening, the two sides of the conflict have been trying to impose their political presence.
The advocates of the legitimacy of the General National Congress (parliament) tried to prove their presence by storming into the building of the premier two days ago, according to Libyan news reports.
Disputed Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteeg, who was appointed by the General National Congress and who supports the Muslim Brotherhood, held the first meetings of his government after he managed to enter the office of the interim Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani.
The latter confirmed that “the break-in [to Thani’s office] was done with the power of weapons and is considered illegal and void.”
On his social media page, Thani mentioned that Maiteeg refused “to succumb to the law by using power.” He also noted that the decision to keep Maiteeg in this position requires a decision from the Libyan constitutional court, which is expected to discuss the matter on Thursday.
Along with the deputy speaker of Libya’s Interim Parliament Ezzdin Al-Awami, Thani indicated that the so-called defenders of the legitimacy of the parliament “claim that they are defending legitimacy, however they were the first to break it. They stormed into the premier’s office without waiting for the decision of the constitutional court regarding the appeal that was submitted by several MPs who doubt the legitimacy of the vote for Maiteeg.” Awami also noted that several MPs lodged appeals against the decision by parliament Speaker Nuri Abu Sahmain to grant Maiteeg’s government confidence since the legal quorum was incomplete.
