By Libya Herald reporter.
Tripoli, 11 September 2015:
Despite being ousted as mayor of Central Tripoli and replaced by Abdulraouf Beitelmal a . . .[restrict]fortnight ago, Al-Mahdi Al-Harati continues to act as if he is still in post, and is said to be drumming up support among the capital’s Islamist leaning figures.
In a move yesterday indicting yet further division in the city, he presided at the “appointment” of a district administrator (Mukhtar Al-Mahalat) for Dahra distirct.
The event took place in the municipal building on Algeria Square which he still holds and photos have been posted on the capital’s Facebook page which he also still controls. Beitelmal’s administration operates out of the local government ministry.
Under Law 59 of 2012 which set up the municipal councils, a municipality has to consist of one or more districts and each municipality has to propose to the local government ministry how many it will comprise and showing their boundaries.
It is up to the ministry to agree or refuse any such plans.
Under the same law, if the subdivision is approved, the municipality then appoints district administrators who will be responsible for the provision of municipal services within their areas.
The appointment of an Islamist, named as Walid Jafnuti, as Dahra’s district administrator does not appear to have the approval of Central Tripoli Municipal Council.
In a country effectively divided with two administrations, the capital now reflects that division with two rival municipal administrations.
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