Libya “Effectively Occupied” by Foreign Forces, Says Presidential Council Member
Libya’s Sovereignty Under Threat
Musa al-Koni, a prominent member of Libya’s Presidential Council, has declared the country “effectively an occupied nation” due to the continued presence of Turkish and Russian military forces. The statement was delivered during his address at the annual National Council on US-Libya Relations conference in Washington.
Foreign Military Restrictions
Al-Koni revealed concerning details about foreign military control, stating that Russian forces at Brak Air Base have restricted movement of Libyan officials. “The Libyan president cannot fly over Brak Air Base,” he disclosed, sharing his personal experience of being denied airspace access when returning from Rwanda.
Political Crisis Deepens
The senior official made serious allegations against Libya’s key political figures—Aguila Saleh, Khalifa Haftar, and Abdul Hamid Dabaiba—accusing them of deliberately blocking elections through an “undeclared agreement” as each vies for the presidency.
Proposed Solution for Unity
To break the political deadlock, al-Koni proposed a power-sharing solution involving representatives from Libya’s three historical regions: Tripoli, Cyrenaica, and Fezzan. He emphasized the need for inclusive governance to stabilize the nation.
Fezzan’s Marginalization
Al-Koni highlighted what he called “historical injustice” against Fezzan, criticizing the region’s political exclusion and unfair resource distribution. “Fezzan survives on alms,” he stated, demanding the establishment of a legislative council and representative government for the neglected region.
Warning of Escalating Conflict
The official issued a stark warning about potential conflict, urging national reunification “before the country slides into a total explosion.” He described Libya’s current state as effectively “two states, with two parliaments, two governments, and two chiefs of staff.”