Parallel prime minister Fathi Bashagha, with the facilitation of Nawasi brigade, entered Tripoli late on Monday, sparking a heavy exchange of fire.
Immediately after his arrival, Bashagha claimed in a video post that he had received a very warm welcome in Tripoli and people were happy with his arrival while his interior minister said they were preparing to take over all government premises.
Fathi Bashgha’s remarks were just “a gross overestimation” as his entry sparked a heavy exchange of fire with government forces in downtown and other major streets.
Reports said that one of Bashagha’s gunmen was killed in clashes and his allied armed groups, Nawasi and other groups from Wirshiffana and Zawiya, had difficulty deploying in the streets.
After hours of clashes, Bashagha’s gunmen began retreating and he was cornered inside a location for Nawasi brigade. Things for him were going from bad to worse but mediation by the Libyan army’s 444th brigade, which backs Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbiebah, rescued him.
The brigade intervened to stop the fighting and helped Bashagha and his gunmen to leave safely outside Tripoli.
After the humiliating departure, the media office of Fathi Bashagha said he had decided to leave Tripoli to stop bloodshed and ensure the safety and security of the people.
This is Bashagha’s second failed attempt to enter Tripoli.
