Libya’s Al-Sirraj orders Salafist armed group to leave Mitiga Airport

BY Libyan Express Sep 16, 2018 - 21:28

A member of the Special Deterrence Force stands near a car at a checkpoint in Tripoli, Libya March 7, 2016. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny

The Head of the Libyan Presidential Council, Fayez Al-Sirraj, has ordered ,in a new decision on Sunday, the Special Deterrence Force (SDF) to leave Mitiga Airport in Tripoli for the apparatuses of the Interior Ministry.

The SDF is accused by UN and international as well as local reports of human rights abuses in detentions inside the airport.

The SDF has always voiced attachment to the Salafist-Madkhalist sect that comes from Saudi Arabia.

“From Monday (Tomorrow) the interior ministry’s units will control Mitiga Airport and all other armed groups must leave.” Al-Sirraj ordered on Sunday.

He also ordered the prisons inside the airport be assessed and the detained persons’ cases reconsidered, saying those who have been held for over the legal terms shall be immediately released.

The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express.
How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@libyanexpress.com. Please include ‘Op-Ed’ in the subject line.