Libya’s Tripoli government replaces intelligence chief

By Walid Abdullah

TRIPOLI

Libya’s UN-backed unity government on Thursday appointed Abdullah Masoud al-Darsi as intelligence chief, replacing Abdul Qader al-Tuhami, according to a statement released late Wednesday by Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the government’s Presidential Council.

Following his appointment, al-Darsi told Libya’s private Al-Nabaa television channel that he would “take action” to unify the national intelligence apparatus.

“Our intelligence services safeguard the country’s security and should be kept out of political disputes,” he told the broadcaster.

On Wednesday, al-Sarraj called on the international community to provide Libya with the support it needs to promote the country’s stability, according to a statement issued by his office.

At a recent meeting with his interior minister, top military and security commanders, and UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame, al-Sarraj had also called for the ongoing arms embargo on Libya to be lifted “to allow the unity government to meet its responsibilities”, according to the statement.

Libya has remained dogged by turmoil since 2011, when a bloody NATO-backed uprising led to the ouster and death of long-serving President Muammar Gaddafi after more than four decades in power.