A war of hearts and minds has erupted between the two main Libyan political forces currently fighting over power.
Libya’s Caretaker Prime Minister, Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba, has claimed that Libya’s Muslim Brotherhood are colluding with the military to takeover power.
Tweeting in the early hours of this morning on his personal account, Aldabaiba said ‘‘The military and the (Muslim) Brotherhood are seeking to share power, and we will not back down and will not hand it over until the elections.
The military and the Brotherhood are working today on the heart of one man to share power, money and governance.”
With regards to his record in office, Aldabaiba stated ‘‘I will not enumerate the achievements of our government, as they are clear to everyone.’’
He then urged the public ‘‘to go out to the streets and squares.’’
Analysis
Aldabaiba is raising the ante in his effort to hold on to power as parliament (the House of Representatives – HoR) seeks to replace him. His main opponent – and only realistic candidate for the job – is fellow Misratan and former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha.
Aldabaiba is accusing Bashagha, Khalifa Hafter and HoR Speaker Ageela Saleh of ‘‘doing a deal with the devil’’ in order to gain power. The three had been arch enemies and especially after Hafter’s failed military attack on Tripoli (2019-2020).
Aldabaiba is attempting to muddy the political waters further by reminding the general public of the accusation often directed at Hafter namely that he (and his sons) has dictatorial ambitions to rule Libya undemocratically – returning Libya to the Qaddafi era.
But Aldabaiba is also raising the spectre of the ghoul Muslim Brotherhood gaining power. He knows this accusation is a winner as the dreaded Muslim Brotherhood are very unpopular. This makes the assumption that they do not have power now or that they have not had a hand in keeping Aldabaiba in office.
Nevertheless, Aldabaiba is keen to muddy the political waters further and confuse the general public even more by throwing the scarecrow label of Muslim Brotherhood. He hopes the public will heed his call and come out in their tens of thousands in his support. Indeed, he/his supporters might even organise such demonstrations!
