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By Libya Herald reporter.
Tunis, 11 February 2017:
The US has expressed “serious concern” about the formation of the so-called Libyan National Guard (LNG), the new hardline military formation that rejects the Presidency Council and backs the supposed government of Khalifa Ghwell. Based in Tripoli, is it is made up in large part of Misratan forces together with a number of Amazigh militiamen and a few local gunmen.
“The deployment has the potential to further destabilise the already fragile security situation in Tripoli,” the US State Department said today.
“Libya should work to build a unified national military force under civilian command that is capable of providing security for all Libyans and combating terrorist groups. Disunity and lack of coordination among Libyan forces only benefit ISIS and other terrorist groups seeking to exploit Libyan territory and resources,” it added.
The LNG announced its formation yesterday, claiming the eradication of groups such as the so-called Islamic State (IS) was its main priority – not altogether surprising that many of those now part of it were involved in the battle against IS in Sirte.
It has, though, effectively been in existence for some while and its real raison d’être is to act as the armed force for the radicals such as Ghwell, the grand mufti Sadek Al- Ghariani and Salah Badi who believe that they and fellow-minded “revolutionaries” should run Libya. In a statement today. Misrata elders’ council (which is ideologically opposed to the city’s military and municipal councils) declared that the aim of the LNG was to protect the 17 February revolution against the return of a military dictatorship.
To mark the inauguration, a parade of LNG military vehicles drove through central Tripoli early yesterday evidently hoping to impress local residents. The existing Libyan Revolutionaries Operations Room (LROR), which many of those now in the LNG belong to, announced it was joining the new umbrella organisation.
Boosted by returning Bunyan Marsous forces that were involved in the battle for Sirte, the LNG and its allies currently control almost all of west Tripoli.
Central Tripoli, however, is still largely under the control of the Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade, led by Haithem Tajouri, (and nothing to do with the LROR). Later during the day, it took part in a rival parade of some 300 vehicles in the centre of the city.
East Tripoli is also largely under the control of the LNG’s opponents – Tajouri in much of Tajoura (although not all; militiamen supporting Ghariani have some power in the area) while Suq Al-Juma is controlled by the Rada forces led by Tajouri’s ally Abdul Raouf Kara.
Abu Sleem is controlled by Gneiwa, another Tajouri ally.
All nominally support of the Presidency Council and its Government of National Accord.
