Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah has declared that the country is entering a "decisive phase" in reclaiming state authority from powerful armed militias, following a major security operation in the capital’s Abu Salim district.
In a televised address late Saturday, the leader of the UN-recognised Government of National Unity said his administration would no longer tolerate chaos or allow non-state actors to control Libyans' destiny.
“The era of fear is over,” Dbeibah stated, “and the state will not stand by as militias continue to hold sway over the lives of our citizens.”
Turning point in Abu Salim
Dbeibah described the recent security sweep in Abu Salim – a dense urban neighbourhood long dominated by militia influence – as a “watershed moment” for state authority. He praised the operation’s precision and minimal disruption, highlighting that it was executed quickly and without civilian harm.
“The injustice has been lifted,” he told residents of the area, pledging increased government support.
In the wake of the operation, the government announced the appointment of a new head of the Internal Security Agency and the dissolution of the Migration Department, signalling what Dbeibah called “a break from the past.”
Political friction and militia dynamics
Dbeibah acknowledged that mistakes were made in the aftermath of the operation but said they were swiftly addressed. He warned militia members that they must now choose between integrating into state institutions or facing legal consequences.
The prime minister also lashed out at political rivals whom he accused of exploiting instability to promote “a coup project” and keep Tripoli under militia control for their own gain.
“There will be no return to the days of extortion and criminal rule,” he said, calling on all parties to align with the state-building project.
Protests and international support
Recent protests in Tripoli, some of which Dbeibah acknowledged as legitimate, were also addressed in his speech. He suggested that some of the demonstrations had been financially supported by certain parties seeking to sway public opinion, but said he chose to remain patient out of respect for the Libyan street.
The prime minister added that he has received widespread backing from international partners who support efforts to stabilise Libya. Diplomatic delegations have visited Tripoli in recent days, voicing approval of the government's actions to curb militia influence.
Looking ahead
Dbeibah concluded with a message of cautious optimism: “Libyans are beginning to glimpse real hope at the end of this dark phase – the beginning of a state built on law and institutions.”
