By Libya Herald reporter.
Tripoli, 21 March 2016:
Support for the Government of National Accord (GNA) is strong and continuing to grow in . . .[restrict]Misrata, according to local officials, despite a rejection of it over the weekend by the city’s Council of Elders and Wise Men.
The council is headed by Ibrahim ben Ghashir, a close friend of Misratan militia commander Salah Badi who is firmly opposed to the GNA. Like Badi, it has consistently pursued a pro-Libya Dawn and pro-General National Congress (GNC) line. Three months ago, members were busy trying to build support for the GNC’s “Libya-Libya” dialogue.
Ben Ghashir “has no power or influence,” a senior Misratan official told the Libya Herald today. “He and the council are losing support all the time.”
The rejection was in response to a statement on Friday by Misrata municipal council in support of the GNA and the Presidency Council. It demanded that they start work in Tripoli.
Earlier last week, opponents of the municipal council and the GNA were rebuffed when a court in the city threw out their petition to dismiss it and cancel all its resolutions and decisions since taking office.
Further evidence of their isolation came on Saturday, when hundreds of Misratans took part in a demonstration in support of the GNA. They called on Khalifa Ghwell, himself a Misratan, to resign and hand over to Serraj. [/restrict]
