Libyan Parliament-designate Fathi Bashagha left the capital Tripoli after the al-Nawasi battalion that received him came under armed attack after he arrived in the capital to begin his work.

Libyan sources confirmed to the Al-Sharq news agency that “armed groups linked to former prime minister Abdel Hamid al-Dabaiba are advancing towards a hotel in the capital Tripoli where the designated prime minister is believed to be.” She pointed out that “educational and service institutions in Tripoli have been completely destroyed due to security tensions.”

And the press service of the Libyan government, appointed by the parliament, announced: “Bashaga, accompanied by a number of ministers, arrived in the capital Tripoli to prepare for the start of the work of his government there.”

The former prime minister announced yesterday: “Alarm the drone control room for a week and use live ammunition against any suspicious movements in the vicinity of the capital Tripoli.”

Bashaga was appointed by parliament in the country’s east last March, but Dabaiba refused to hand over power, sparking a protracted conflict between the two rival governments.