TRIPOLI: Prime Minister Fayez Al Sarraj, head of Libya’s internationally recognised Government of National Accord has appointed a new defence minister and army chief after days of protests against poor public services and living conditions in the country.
On Saturday, Al Sarraj promoted deputy and Acting Defence Minister Salah Eddine Al Namrush to the ministry’s top job and appointed General Mohammad Ali Al Haddad as head of the army.
The order came hours after the UN-recognised GNA announced the suspension of Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha over his alleged support for protesters last week.
Army chief Al Haddad hails from Misrata, 200 km east of Tripoli, home to fighters that have fought alongside the GNA in its battle to repel troops loyal to eastern Libya-based military commander Khalifa Haftar.
The appointments came days after Al Sarraj announced a government reshuffle in response to growing popular discontent in Tripoli and other western Libyan cities under its control.
Since Sunday, hundreds of demonstrators staged rallies in Tripoli against corruption and extended shortages of power, water and fuel in the oil-rich country. Gunmen fired on crowds on several occasions.
In response, the GNA said Bashagha “has been temporarily suspended” pending an inquiry “on his statements about the protests and incidents in Tripoli and other cities”. Bashagha, who was visiting the GNA’s main backer Turkey on Saturday, said in a statement posted on the interior ministry’s Facebook page that he was ready to submit to an investigation, but it had to be televised.