Libya's Government of National Unity denies reports that 2 ministers resigned

TRIPOLI, Libya/ISTANBUL

Libya's internationally recognized Government of National Unity said Friday that news on social media about the resignation of two ministers is not accurate.

A statement said that all ministers continue to work normally.

“The government is following the news circulating on social media about the resignation of two ministers and many undersecretaries, and confirms that these news do not reflect the truth,” it said, adding that official decisions are only made through approved channels.

Reports on social media claimed that the Minister of Local Government Badr al-Tumi and Housing Minister Abu Bakr al-Ghawi had resigned.

Incidents in Tripoli

The reports of the resignations followed clashes on Monday after the death of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, who heads the Stability Support Apparatus.

Shortly after al-Kikli’s death, the government announced that the 444th Brigade, affiliated with the Ministry of Defense, had seized the Stability Support Apparatus' headquarters in the Abu Salim neighborhood of Tripoli and taken control of the area.

In a May 13 statement, Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh congratulated members of the army and police for success in establishing state authority in the events that took place in Tripoli.

Clashes began in the early hours of May 14 between the Rada, which is considered one of the powerful militia groups in the capital, and government forces. Smoke was seen rising from buildings in parts of Tripoli.

The Defense Ministry announced later that day that a ceasefire had been declared in all conflict zones in Tripoli as part of efforts to protect civilians.

An official from Health Affairs at Tripoli Municipality, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, announced that six people died and 70 were injured in the clashes.