Dbaiba: Turkey is a real partner for us

AAC NEWS  

The Prime Minister of the interim government Abdul Hamid Dbaiba has been interviewed  for the first time exclusively with the Turkish press Anadolu

He said in the interview that he would be in unity with Turkey and would try to solve the major problems facing Libya.

According to, Anadolu Agency said about the interview with its correspondent in Tripoli, Mücahit Demir: “This is the first interview of Anadolu with Dbaiba, the day after his designation, in which the Libyan Prime Minister talks about priorities of the new government, the establishment of internal peace in the country, the investigation of war crimes and Turkish-Libyan relations.”

Dbaiba said: “The LPDF was formed with the participation of all parts of Libya, therefore, it is a representative of all its geography, tribes and societal segments.” He added, “it is important for peaceful, democratic and free change for the benefit of Libya and Libyans … the whole world witnessed this decision through the media, and we welcomed them in their honor.”

In the interview, Dbaiba said: “The LPDF members were happy with the result that they reached, I only know a few of them. Within the framework of implementing the decisions taken in the dialogue, we will form the government in three weeks and it will be presented to the House of Representatives (HoR) to gain its confidence.”

In response to a question about whether his government would include names from the previous government, he said, “It might; we will be a technocrat government that includes appropriate merit-based names proving itself with its authority to act and represent all parts of Libya fairly, but we will focus on technocrats in its management.”

On the question of the priorities of his government, after receiving confidence from Parliament, Dbaiba said it would be “providing vaccination against COVID-19, power outages, the constitution and peace committees.”

He explained that “vaccination will be a priority, as well as the power outage, which is one of the biggest problems in Libya, power outages five hours a day makes life difficult for Libyans.”

In the COVID-19 novel, he added: “This is an important issue for the Libyans as well as for all the peoples of the world. We will do our best to get vaccines for Libyans, followed by vital difficulties on issues, such as electricity, health, daily living, and then issues of forming peace committees and drafting the constitution by working with the Presidential Council.”

Dbaiba drew attention to the importance of achieving social peace to solve the Libyan crisis, and that they would form these committees “to bring peace between Libyans within the country.”

Dbaiba also commented on relations with the eastern region, which is currently under the interim government led by Abdullah al-Thini, which the Turkish news agency Anadolu described as being “founded in the eastern region controlled by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar”, commander of what it called “illegal forces in Libya.” Commenting on the statement issued by Al-Thini that he would hand over power once the new LPDF interim government is approved by the House of Representatives (HoR), Dbaiba said: “Our government needs the approval of the HoR in Tobruk. In this case, it makes sense for the government to wait for al-Thini’s government, and it seems that the HoR has already announced that it welcomes the outcome of the LPDF, and the decision is for Libyans to make, that is the Libyan people.”

In reference to representing all Libyans through the LPDF, Dbaiba added: “The people welcomed the election of the government, and the HoR is also part of the Libyan people. I do not think it is possible for them to enter a line other than the one set by the elections through dialogue.”

Although Dbaiba uses the term “election” in the interview with Anadolu, it is important to understand that both he and the rest of the new Presidential Council members were “appointed” by the LPDF, in a vote that only involved LPDF members—who in turn, were appointed by the American head of UNSMIL, Stephanie Williams

On relations with Turkey, Dbaiba said: “There will be very great solidarity with the Turkish people and the Turkish state. Turkey is our ally, friend and brother, Turkey has big capabilities to support Libyans to reach their real targets. Turkey is a real partner for us.”

Anadolu Agency asked him, as a businessman, about trade relations between Turkey and Libya, to which he answered: “Libyans during wartime were able to visit Turkey freely through the airport, the only country that opened its embassy in Tripoli was Turkey, there is solidarity in the economic sphere between Turkey and the Libyans. I hope to develop this solidarity and increase the volume of trade to the highest levels.”

Anadolu Agency asked the following question to Dbaiba, given its pro-Erdogan editorial stance: “In Libya, the militias of Khalifa Haftar are accused of committing war crimes, some of which have been presented to the International Criminal Court’s agenda, such as mass graves in Tarhuna, extrajudicial executions, internal displacement of hundreds of thousands of Libyans, and my traps.”

Dbaiba answered the question of what take steps he would take to hold war crimes to account by saying, “War crimes will be concerned by the authorities of law, but we are in a difficult stage for the establishment of peace in Libya. Both sides have to compromise.” He said that those “whose crimes are proved will be held accountable”.