GNA interior minister might be planning a coup against al-Sarraj

Nahla Abdelmonem

Tensions are growing inside the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) which is backed by Turkey.

These tensions increase polarization on the streets in the areas controlled by this government, opening the door for a possible rebellion against it.

Opposing interests

The members of the GNA, which was formed in Morocco in 2015, envy the political gains of each other. The same members have opposing interests.

This is causing fiction among them. Some of the members of the government have turned to social media to legitimatize their positions and win over people on the streets. Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha did this.

Meanwhile, the international sponsors of the GNA, especially Turkey, are pinning their hopes on specific figures within the government to achieve their own objectives.

This is why some people expect Bashagha to form his own front soon with the aim of coming at the center of international sponsorship, with support from the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya.

On July 21, Bashagha held a meeting with Qatari Minister of Defense Khaled al-Attiya and Turkish Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar in Ankara.

This came hours after the GNA interior minister met the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad.

This is opening the door for speculation on what Turkey and Qatar might be up to in Libya.

Polarization

The Muslim Brotherhood always builds its strategy on inciting peoples against their governments.

This Islamist group tends to build a popular support base that can help it implement its agenda.

This is why Bashagha and his camp work tooth and nail to win over ordinary people in the areas controlled by the GNA.

This camp focuses on rampant corruption within the government, in the hope that this issue would arouse the public against GNA Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.