10 – 17 February: Mohammed Menfi embarks on a tour of eastern Libya

Feb 17, 2021 | Libyan actors

This week, as the new Prime Minister designate, Abdul Hameed Dabaiba consolidates his potential support, Mohammad Menfi, the newly elected President of the reformed Presidential Council, embarked on a four-day tour of eastern Libya.

On 11 February, the new President of the Presidential Council, Mohammed Menfi, arrived in Benghazi. Menfi met academics and tribal leaders at Benina airport before receiving the Head of the Libya National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi. He met with other LNA officials and Aqeela Saleh in al-Bayda and Tubruk, respectively. Menfi stated in an interview that his aims comprise the military reunification via the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) track, the unification of Libyan institutions, and national reconciliation.

On 13 February, reports circulated about the arrest of Khalid Bu Lugaib, a prominent militia leader and member of the Awagir tribe. According to reports, Bu Lugaib was arrested at Benina airport by the LNA’s 106 Brigade. Some sources indicate that Bu Lugaib was aboard a private jet flying from Rome, and that he may have been arrested when the aircraft was redirected to Kharouba airbase rather than Benina. Sources indicated that the arrest was linked to the killing of activist Hanan al-Burasi by an unidentified armed group in Benghazi in November 2020.

On 13 February, it was reported that the Misrata Third Force closed the Dafniyya gate. This is the entrance that links Tripoli to Misrata. The militia demanded integration into the National Guard and the payment of outstanding salaries for 2015 to 2017 to recognise their years of service in Libya’s South.

On 15 February, it was reported that the media office of Dabaiba, has confirmed that his cabinet will be ready before the 21-day deadline for forming the government.