Libya: Menfi visits Tobruk, vows to unify state bodies

By Walid Abdullah

TRIPOLI, Libya (AA) - The newly elected chairman of Libya's Presidency Council said Friday that national reconciliation and unifying the country's military establishment would be his administration's basic goal.

Mohammad Menfi released the statement upon his arrival in Tobruk, eastern Libya, which is under the control of Libya's eastern warlord Khalifa Haftar.

Menfi was received at Tobruk airport by the city's Mayor Faraj al-Khattabiya who was assigned by the Haftar-backed eastern Libyan government which lacks international recognition.

According to Libyan media outlets, Menfi said in his visit that the Presidency Council would work to unify all state institutions.

Since being elected to his current position earlier this month, Menfi on Thursday made his first visit to Benghazi, where he met with Haftar and discussed developments in the North African country.

The visit was slammed by Libyan officials, including the Chairman of Libya's High Council of State Khalid al-Mishri, who described it as a stumbled beginning for Menfi.

"This visit sends a negative message that has nothing to do with ensuring the harmony and unity of Libyans after all the destruction and tragedies caused by Haftar," al-Mishri said on social media.

Last Friday, Libya's rival political groups agreed to form an interim unity government to lead the country to elections this December.

Mohammad Younes Menfi was elected president of the interim setup with Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh as prime minister. Mossa Al-Koni and Abdullah Hussein Al-Lafi were also voted on the three-man presidency.

* Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara