Libya’s Dbeibah Reaffirms Commitment to “Militia- and Corruption-Free Libya” Amid Mounting Calls for Resignation
Libyan Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdulhamid Dbeibah, has reaffirmed his commitment to the “Militia- and Corruption-Free Libya” initiative, despite growing demands for his resignation following recent armed clashes in the capital, Tripoli.
In a televised address to the nation on Saturday evening, Dbeibah declared that he can no longer overlook or cooperate with armed groups, calling on citizens to support his government and unite against outlaw factions.
He stated that the prospect of eliminating these groups has become more realistic than ever, bringing Libya closer to the long-awaited dream of a state governed by law and institutions.
Addressing the recent confrontations in Tripoli, Dbeibah described a military operation carried out by his government in the Abu Salim area as a “successful” strike against groups he claimed now pose a greater threat than the state itself — a clear reference to the Stability Support Apparatus led by Abdel Ghani al-Kikli.
He revealed that these groups had taken control of six banks and were extorting the state and its officials, in addition to detaining, torturing, and executing their opponents.
Dbeibah added that his government had attempted to integrate unlawful armed factions into state institutions. While some groups agreed to the integration, others refused and continued asserting control over government bodies.
Defending the decisions taken in the aftermath of the Abu Salim operation — including the restructuring of security agencies and the dismissal of officials linked to al-Kikli — Dbeibah pointed to UN reports documenting their involvement in serious crimes.
As for the recent fighting between the pro-government 444th Combat Brigade and the Deterrence Apparatus for Combating Terrorism and Organized Crime, Dbeibah described the incident as a “mutual mistake and a hasty move to impose state authority,” stressing that war was never his intention.
