Hope Regained with New Unity Gov’t in Libya
Local Editor
Residents of Tripoli have started to breathe a little easier since the head of a new unity government came to town promising a way out of Libya's political and economic crises.
Prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj's arrival last Wednesday came at a time of sandstorms combined with fears of clashes between rival armed groups that have failed to materialize.
Sarraj's arrival had drawn fury from a rival administration that has ruled the capital since mid-2014.
But the situation has remained calm and the new UN-backed government has won the support of the city's main armed group and of key institutions.
Since a militia alliance including extremists overran Tripoli a year and a half ago, leaving gunmen on the streets, residents' lives have been filled with worry over how to support their families in a worsening economy.
Late Sunday, the Tripoli-based Libyan Investment Authority threw its support behind Sarraj's Government of National Accord [GNA].
"The establishment of the GNA in Tripoli represents an important development towards bringing stability and unity to Libya," LIA chairman Abdulmagid Breish said.
He further stated: "The GNA can play an important role in negotiating international economic support for Libya and, over the longer term, rebuilding Libya as a destination for international investment and commerce."
Libya's National Oil Corporation and Central Bank - backbones of the country's wealth - have also declared their support.
On Thursday, the mayors of 10 coastal cities that were under the control of the Tripoli authorities called on Libyans to "support the national unity government".
The following day, guards in charge of securing installations in Libya's eastern "oil crescent" said they would hand over three export terminals to the unity government.
Oil is Libya's main natural resource, with reserves estimated at 48 billion barrels, the largest in Africa.But its output has plummeted since the 2011 uprising that ousted longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
With the new government promising a united Libya, a strong army and a better economy, Libyans have regained hope.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
