Sarraj pushes out Bashagha amid Tripoli power struggle, street protests

Experts see the PM’s move as preempting a possible coup by interior minister.

Fayez al-Sarraj, the prime minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) moved late Friday to remove Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha amid rumours of an impending coup attempt eyed by Bashagha under the cover of fighting corruption and curbing violence against protesters.

PC suspends Bashagha over recent protests

Interior Minister, Fathi Bashagha has been suspended and ordered to appear for administrative investigation within three days from the date of the suspension, the PC said in a statement on Friday.

Bashagha’s central bank ally pays the bill for Turkey’s support

Libyans are wary over a statement issued by the Turkish Central Bank regarding a MoU concluded on Monday with the Central Bank of Libya.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Libya, al-Sadiq al-Kabir, dropped a bombshell, surprising everyone in Libya by signing a “vague” memo of understanding with the Turkish Central Bank, just a few days following the visit to Turkey by Fathi Bashagha, Minister of the Interior of the Government of National Accord, and Khaled al-Mishri, head of the Libyan State Council. Both men are affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood organisation and made the trip to Turkey amid the growing crisis between Bashagha and Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.