The House of Representatives (HoR) has threatened to shut down western airspace and all airports occupied by Libya Dawn. The move follows a flying visit to Ghat three days ago by a 26-member delegation from the House. After their plane landed, Misratan forces at the airport allegedly tried to seize it and threatened to shoot it down if it took off again. It did, but only after what were said to be intensive negotiations between the Misratan forces and a some of the HoR members.
In its statement broadcast on national television, the HoR described Libya Dawn’s acts as “unprecedented terror that has deepened divisions in an already seriously splintered country”.
The HoR specifically condemned the closure of the road to Obari ten days ago by the Misratan Third Force that cut off much needed supplies to the southwestern town of Ghat, as well as the subsequent temporary seizure of a plane carrying food aid to the town over allegations that it was ferrying arms from the UAE to anti-Libya Dawn forces in the area. The aircraft was eventually released, but a source claimed that the crew was unable to unload all the cargo before it left.
Libya Dawn’s decision to try and implement a no-fly zone over southern Libya, Zintan and Ghadames, the site of the first attempt by the United Nations to facilitate a national dialogue, was deplorable, the HoR also said.
Under the ant-terrorism law passed by the HoR in September 2014, such actions are considered to be terrorist acts, it added.
“The fact that whole towns have been cut off from drinking water, electricity, food, medicine and communication services amounts to crimes against humanity,” the HoR said.
The HoR promised that, should such “terrorist acts” by Libya Dawn continue, it would pursue, through legal means, the closure of the Libya Dawn-controlled airports at Mitiga, Misrata, Zuwara and Sirte.
“We will make these “unbearable” acts known to the Attorney General, the United Nations and the rest of the international community,” the HoR vowed.
By Jamal Adel and Musafa Ajnadin
