Libya’s sacked mufti lashes out at GNA

Ahmed Adel

Libya’s sacked grand mufti al-Sadek al-Gheriani has criticized the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), accusing it of depending on foreign diplomats to keep staying in power.

He said on September 3 in a program he hosts on his al-Tanasoh TV channel that the latest package of decisions by the Presidential Council of the GNA aimed to satisfy people on the streets of the Libyan capital.

However, some of the decisions were taken hastily, he said.

He faulted the GNA in failing to sack officials who could not carry out their missions.

The GNA is reproducing the same figures, which does not solve the problems, but gives palliatives to the people, he said.

He called on the GNA to prepare for fighting, given the fact that the Libyan National Army (LNA) keeps preparing for potential battles with the GNA.

Gheriani said GNA enemies prepare seriously for battles by bringing in advanced armory and fighter jets, and that Russian planes keep landing in eastern Libya’s airbases and airports.

He said LNA Commander Khalifa Haftar knows well that the United Nations is not capable of forcing him to stop fighting.

However, the GNA abided by ceasefire calls as if they are heavenly decrees, Gheriani said.

He lashed out at a decision by the Military Prosecution in Tripoli to ban the former head of the Military Medical Section from traveling outside Libya.

He said the decision fails to open the door for the necessary trials of those committing violations in Libya.

The decisions taken now do not introduce reform, Gheriani said. They are contradictory at best, opening the door for corruption at worst, he added.