By Libya Herald reports.
Tripoli, 11 July 2016:
With some ceremony. Prime minister-designate Faiez Serraj today took over the prime ministry building in Triq Al-Sikka.
His first appearance there comes 103 days after he and fellow members of the Presidency Council were brought into Tripoli’s Bu Sitta naval base on a Libyan navy gunboat.
At a press conference in his official home, Serraj said that this was the real beginning of the Government of National Accord. State institutions from both east and west would be consolidated in the prime ministry.
He said that the PC was taking practical steps to solve the liquidity problems as well as steady the value of the dinar. He continued that the problems with power generation and blackouts were not something that had occurred overnight. They were the consequence of accumulated shortcomings in the electricity sector.
Serraj said that the PC had paid particular attention the issue. Existing power stations such as that in Obari would be upgraded, which would solve the difficulties in the south. The PC would also make it a priority to persuade foreign contractors to return to complete projects. One such are the new turbine halls at Sirte’s Gulf power, abandoned by Turkish and South Korean contractors in 2014 as security collapsed.
The move from Bu Sitta to the main government building has been welcomed inernationally. UNSMIL chief Martin Kobler messaged: “Glad to know that the Pres. Council has moved to the Council of Ministers’ HQ. Encouraging and important step in the LPA’s implementation”
Serraj arrived today in an armed convoy. One aide said that these men belonged to the new Presidential Guard. This body however was only authorised two months ago and is not known to have been formed. Serraj and his colleagues appeared to be guarded by the same, largely Misratan, militiamen who have been standing watch over them at the naval base.
