By Libya Herald reporters.
Tripoli, 17 April 2016:
UNSMIL’s return to Tripoli as of today presents a challenge to the organisation. Its original . . .[restrict]compound in Janzour, to the west of the capital is seen as too far away from Mitiga airport in the east.
There is a clear risk that in the event of a further breakdown in security, the UN mission could find itself cut off. In January 2013 in one of the very first attacks against diplomats in Tripoli, two small gelatina bombs were tossed over the compound’s wall, doing no damage.
UNSMIL chief Martin Kobler today saw officials from the Dar Al-Ifta, though not its head, Sheikh Sadeq Ghariani. Afterwards Kobler said he had a very interesting and constructive meeting, though sources at the Dar Al-Ifta said that Ghariani’s core objections to the whole Libyan Political Agreement had, hardly surprisingly, not been met. However, it was reported that Kobler had asked the officials if they could help in finding UNSMIL a temporary home in an hotel in Tajoura.
It was not possible to confirm this request with anyone from UNSMIL. However if Kobler is indeed looking to locate in Tajoura, the now-abandoned EUBAM headquarters in the old Peacock Hotel, would seem to be ideal. Heavily fortified by the EU, it was only used for a few months before EUBAM joined the general diplomatic exodus in the summer of 2014.
There are also reports that in the course of today hard-skinned white UNSMIL vehicles were seen parked outside the distinctive Dat Al-Imad buildings opposite the Tripoli tower. [/restrict]
