The Libyan Prime Minister has survived an assassination attempt, sources close to him say. Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah narrowly survived an attempt on his life after attackers targeted his car.
It was reported by a government source close to him that; Gunmen shot at the Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah’s car with bullets early on Thursday; but he narrowly escaped unharmed.
It was due to the amid intense factional wrangling over control of the government.
The source added that the incident happened as the Prime Minister was returning home; describing it as a clear assassination attempt. The incident has been referred for investigation.
An attempt to assassinate Dbeibah could aggravate the crisis over control of Libya after he said; he will ignore a vote scheduled by the eastern-based parliament later on Thursday to replace him.
Armed forces have arranged more equipment and fighters in the capital over recent weeks; raising fears the political crisis could trigger fighting again in the country.
Libya’s Peace
Libya has has been struggling with peace and stability since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising against Moammar Gadhafi; and it split in 2014 between warring factions in east and west.
Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah was installed in March as head of the UN-backed Government of National Unity (GNU); that was meant to create unity against the country’s divided institutions; and oversee the run-up to an election in December as part of a peace process.
Rival factions have been struggling for position after the election process fell apart amid disputes over the rules; including the legitimacy of Dbeibah’s own candidacy for president after he pledged not to run in the first place.
The parliament, which mostly backed eastern forces during the civil war; has declared the GNU invalid and will hold a vote on Thursday; to name a new prime minister to form another government.
Dbeibah’s Speech earlier this week
Dbeibah said in a speech this week that he would only hand over power after an election; and the UN’s Libya adviser and Western countries have said they continue to recognize the GNU.
The parliament said this week that no elections would be held this year; after it and another political body amended the country’s temporary constitution; dismaying the many Libyans who had registered to vote including the late Gadhafi’s Son.
The parliament’s move to choose a new prime minister may lead to a return to the situation before Dbeibah’s unity government was installed; with parallel administrations seeking to rule Libya from different cities.
