By Libya Herald reporters.
Tunis, 14 January 2016:
North African terrorists grouped around Al-Qaeda in the . . .[restrict]Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) have warned that the Skirhat deal and the resulting Government of National Accord represent “ a sell-out to foreigners”.
Italy’s role in the accord has generated particular bile from the terrorists. An audio statement published yesterday from AQIM leader Abu Yousef Al-Anab,i carried by an Mauretanien news agency ,characterises the Libyan political accord as a “conspiracy”.
In an emotive reference to the Italian colonisation of Libya and Rome’s possible role in any future military intervention, Anabi said: ”To the new invaders, grandchildren of Graziani [one of the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini’s leading grnerals], “you will bite your hands off, regretting you entered the land of Omar al Mukhtar and you will come out of it humiliated”.
The AQIM threats focused on Libya. Anabi’s statement singled out the UNSMIL operation, citing USMIL security chief Paolo Serra;
”We are people who never give up” said Anabi, “You will have to walk on our dead bodies. Either we win or we die”.
The no-nonsense Serra has already made his mark. One diplomat, currently relocated from Libya to Tunis told the Libya Herald: “ Kobler and Serra make an interesting double act. Kobler is the ultimate diplomat, always ready to go that extra mile . Serra does not appear to know that there Is any distance beyond that which is already agreed”. [/restrict]
