8 May 2014
By Essam Mohamed
Tripoli — Less than 48 hours after being elected Libya's interim premier, Ahmed Miitig announced his government's priorities.
"After consulting with opinion-makers, I'll try to form a slimmed-down crisis government taking national consensus into consideration as much as possible," Libya's youngest and fifth premier since Kadhafi's ouster said on state TV Tuesday (May 6th).
Miitig was confirmed as the next premier by the General National Congress (GNC) on Monday and given 15 days to form a government. He quickly vowed to focus on security.
"This requires us to activate the general investigations and intelligence agencies as soon as possible," he said, adding: "We shall take decisive security measures and build the military and security institutions according to advanced standards."
He also said he would focus on "activating the judiciary and national reconciliation", providing work opportunities and diversifying the economy into production, services and knowledge.
"This is in addition to restructuring public services so all can take part in building the nation," he noted.
"We need to co-operate with the international community to complete the march we started three years ago," he added. "Building the state won't be made by seclusion, doubts or accusations of treason, but through openness and interaction with the other and pursuit of joint interests."
The premier also called for respecting diplomatic missions. "The government will repel all those who manipulate Libya's national security," he vowed.
"We'll use the democratic process and maintain the peaceful nature of transfer of power," he concluded, pledging to ensure suitable conditions for the upcoming elections.
According to political analyst Ashraf al-Shoh, Miitig's speech meant "to give indications and reassure public opinion that he won't resort to political quotas".
"We have a government that doesn't govern, and we have an army, but in the form of armed groups," he noted.
"The government's mission won't be easy," the analyst told Magharebia. "Time is short until the next House of Representatives is elected."
He added: "Appointing Miitig will renew hopes about taking tough security measures in Libya."
The government "must form a crisis team to deal with the security deterioration in Libya using foreign experts", he said.
Libyans were mostly hopeful about the new appointment.
"Let the new government take over and move forward; we've had enough stumbles and we don't want to go backwards and see disputes with the General National Congress (GNC)," said teacher Mahasen Beshir.
"It seems that the Islamic current wants to monopolize power in Libya after it fell in Egypt and retracted in Tunisia," journalist Youssef Ali said. "However, I think the head of new government will stand at the same distance from all political entities; at least he has said so."
In his turn, public sector employee Salem Bin Amer said, "Libya needs a government of deeds. I hope this government will be strong and handle the security file so the economy can be revitalized. Without security, nothing will be achieved."
Economics student Suleiman Ibrahim praised al-Thani's government for announcing that Ansar al-Sharia was responsible for the attack on Benghazi security directorate. "Previous governments always talked about an unknown armed group," he said.
"I ask Miitig to move in the same direction so he can win people's approval and so that he can have a strong government capable of controlling the situation," he added.
Source: allAfrica.
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201405091534.html?viewall=1.
By Essam Mohamed
Tripoli — Less than 48 hours after being elected Libya's interim premier, Ahmed Miitig announced his government's priorities.
"After consulting with opinion-makers, I'll try to form a slimmed-down crisis government taking national consensus into consideration as much as possible," Libya's youngest and fifth premier since Kadhafi's ouster said on state TV Tuesday (May 6th).
Miitig was confirmed as the next premier by the General National Congress (GNC) on Monday and given 15 days to form a government. He quickly vowed to focus on security.
"This requires us to activate the general investigations and intelligence agencies as soon as possible," he said, adding: "We shall take decisive security measures and build the military and security institutions according to advanced standards."
He also said he would focus on "activating the judiciary and national reconciliation", providing work opportunities and diversifying the economy into production, services and knowledge.
"This is in addition to restructuring public services so all can take part in building the nation," he noted.
"We need to co-operate with the international community to complete the march we started three years ago," he added. "Building the state won't be made by seclusion, doubts or accusations of treason, but through openness and interaction with the other and pursuit of joint interests."
The premier also called for respecting diplomatic missions. "The government will repel all those who manipulate Libya's national security," he vowed.
"We'll use the democratic process and maintain the peaceful nature of transfer of power," he concluded, pledging to ensure suitable conditions for the upcoming elections.
According to political analyst Ashraf al-Shoh, Miitig's speech meant "to give indications and reassure public opinion that he won't resort to political quotas".
"We have a government that doesn't govern, and we have an army, but in the form of armed groups," he noted.
"The government's mission won't be easy," the analyst told Magharebia. "Time is short until the next House of Representatives is elected."
He added: "Appointing Miitig will renew hopes about taking tough security measures in Libya."
The government "must form a crisis team to deal with the security deterioration in Libya using foreign experts", he said.
Libyans were mostly hopeful about the new appointment.
"Let the new government take over and move forward; we've had enough stumbles and we don't want to go backwards and see disputes with the General National Congress (GNC)," said teacher Mahasen Beshir.
"It seems that the Islamic current wants to monopolize power in Libya after it fell in Egypt and retracted in Tunisia," journalist Youssef Ali said. "However, I think the head of new government will stand at the same distance from all political entities; at least he has said so."
In his turn, public sector employee Salem Bin Amer said, "Libya needs a government of deeds. I hope this government will be strong and handle the security file so the economy can be revitalized. Without security, nothing will be achieved."
Economics student Suleiman Ibrahim praised al-Thani's government for announcing that Ansar al-Sharia was responsible for the attack on Benghazi security directorate. "Previous governments always talked about an unknown armed group," he said.
"I ask Miitig to move in the same direction so he can win people's approval and so that he can have a strong government capable of controlling the situation," he added.
Source: allAfrica.
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201405091534.html?viewall=1.
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