(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff)
The UN-backed Libyan government moved into official offices in Tripoli on Monday after working out of a naval base in Tripoli for over 100 days.
The decision to move came after three months since Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj accompanied by some members of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) was escorted into Tripoli by ship guarded by the Libyan navy.
Deputy Prime Minister Mussa Al-Koni spoke to reporters saying, “Today we were handed the (official) government headquarters, after spending more than 100 days in the naval base.” Al-Koni said the move “is the real start” of work for the GNA.
A ceremony officially inaugurating the GNA’s move was held in the building, followed by a cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Sarraj.
The GNA came together in December as a unity government after the Libyan Political Agreement was signed by all parties, yet since the GNA has had a difficult time getting eastern Libya to follow its lead.
Tobruk is the base of the eastern House of Representatives (HOR) which has established its own government rival to the GNA. The HOR has been reluctant to recognize the GNA despite international pressure.
Nonetheless the GNA has managed to gain the loyalty and cooperation of the Libyan central bank, the national oil corporation, various municipalities across Libya and many armed groups based in the western Libya. The GNA has also been successful in gaining authority over a number of ministries since their arrival in March.
The GNA is currently struggling to resolve a number of military, economic and political setbacks that surfaced when former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s reign came to an end in 2011. The sudden drop in oil prices around the world have disturbed the Libyan economy creating difficult economic situations across Libya.
