Fathi Bashagha, Libya’s parallel Prime Minister, arrived Tripoli late Monday with the support of the Nawasi brigade, triggering a furious exchange of fire.
Bashagha claimed in a video clip shortly after his arrival that he had gotten a warm welcome in Tripoli and that the people were pleased with his visit, while his interior minister stated they were prepared to take over all government buildings.
As his arrival provoked a significant exchange of fire with government forces in downtown and other major areas, Fathi Bashgha’s claims were just “a gross overestimation.”
According to reports, one of Bashagha’s gunmen was killed in the fighting, and his allies armed forces, the Nawasi and other Wirshiffana and Zawiya gangs, had problems deploying in the streets.
Bashagha’s forces began to flee after hours of fighting, and he was surrounded by a Nawasi brigade location. Things were becoming worse for him until he was rescued by the Libyan army’s 444th brigade, which backs Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbiebah.
The brigade intervened to put an end to the violence and assisted Bashagha and his gunmen in leaving Tripoli safely.
Critics also claim that Bashagha’s unsuccessful admission has strengthened existing Caretaker Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba. The unsuccessful mission also casts doubt on Bashagha’s long-term viability among his eastern loyalists, House of Representatives Speaker Ageela Saleh, and military commander Khalifa Hafter.
It also casts doubt on Bashagha’s political and military abilities. Bashagha has so far failed to accurately discern Tripoli’s political and militia dispositions. Critics claim that his desire for power has rendered him blind. He has failed to assess the response of Tripoli’s militia leaders – and has failed to pull them over to his side as a former militia commander.
