‘Unity Govt’ Threatens Top Libya Cleric, Accuses Him of Impeding ‘Democracy’

Grand Mufti Called on 'Unity Govt' to Leave Tripoli

by Jason Ditz,

Setting the stage for a potential major new clash in western Libya, the UN-backed “unity government” is threatening the nation’s top cleric, Grand Mufti Sadiq Ghariani, saying they will send him name to Interpol as an enemy of democracy for opposing them.

The Grand Mufti had issued a statement yesterday urging the unity government to leave the capital city of Tripoli, echoing calls for the municipal government. Ghariani warned they won’t recognize a government that arrived in a foreign ship backed by foreign troops.

The “unity government” formed itself earlier this year in Tunisia, and operated in exile until they managed to get a ship to take them to a naval base last week. They are operating out of that base, and have not been recognized by either existing parliament in Libya.

The group isn’t seen as having much domestic support, but is heavily backed by the UN, as well as several NATO members, which envision the group as finally giving them an imprimatur to send troops to Libya, should they obtain at least a modicum of credibility.

http://news.antiwar.com/2016/04/03/unity-govt-threatens-top-libya-cleric-accuses-him-of-impeding-democracy/