The Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Faiez Serraj, chairman of the Presidency Council, formed announced forming two committees to tackle security issues and the shortage of basic services in Libya’s southern region.
The GNA discussed on Wednesday, during its fifth regular meeting for this year, the problems facing the southern region and the possible measures to solve them.
The UN-recognized government remarked that the first committee will consist of the ministries of defense and interior, and the General Intelligence Service. It will work on providing support for security and military apparatuses to achieve stability in the region and combat lawless elements.
The other committee will include all public services-related bodies and will work on securing the basic needs for the southern region. It will also determine the financial coverage needed in this regard.
Southern Libya has suffered from continuous instability and inequitable distribution of economic resources due to the collapse of state institutions since the eruption of the 2011 uprising which ousted and killed longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
Besides, there is an armed conflict among Arab, Tabu, and Tuareg tribes over smuggling routes and oil fields.
On October 14 and 15, several clashes took place near the southern town of Um Al-Araneb, some 950 km south of the capital Tripoli, between local security and Chadian opposition militants, killing four security personnel.
On October 19, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) condemned the absence of security in the southern region, expressing its concern about the increase of crimes, kidnappings, and vandalism on government water supply infrastructure.
“UNSMIL deplores the deterioration of the security situation in Libya’s south and calls on the Libyan authorities to take prompt and effective action against the lawlessness engulfing the region,” the mission said in a statement.
