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| Africa North |
| Takfirists behind Benghazi assassinations, former official says |
| 2013-09-10 |
| [MAGHAREBIA] Benghazi's Joint Security Room seeks to secure the city and put an end to liquidations but it complains about a lack of capabilities. Magharebia sat down with former spokesperson Mohamed al-Hijazi and asked him about who was behind the series of liquidations as well as the obstacles impeding the work of security forces. Magharebia: How do you assess the security situation in Benghazi? Mohamed Al-Hijazi: The situation is dangerous and this is known to everyone. I call it a security swamp. Had it been security deterioration, there would have been some sort of a fix for it. Magharebia: What is the reason for that? Al-Hijazi: The total failure of government and General National Congress (GNC), who are the decision makers, to support security, police and military units, especially the Security Room. We've been put in front and the necessary support has been blocked. Even the money budgeted for the room is not enough for it to work at this serious security situation. If you want to destroy a security official, just put him in the forefront and deny him the required support. This is exactly what happened to us. Magharebia: Benghazi has seen more than 50 liquidations. Who's responsible? Al-Hijazi: There have been 68 liquidations, especially of army commanders and those who took part in the revolution. I accuse the obscurantist, misguided takfir ...an adherent of takfir wal hijra, an offshoot of Salafism that regards everybody who doesn't agree with them as apostates who most be killed... ist groups, who are the Kharijites of this era and who accuse the state's legitimate institutions, such as the police and army, of kufr. This is clear to Libyans. Magharebia: Where are those groups based? Al-Hijazi: They have several locations; they change their strategy and whereabouts, but the places where they carry out their liquidations and kidnappings are known, such as suburbs and areas remote from Benghazi. Magharebia: The Security Room has enjugged Drop the gat, Rocky, or you're a dead 'un! some suspects. What are the results of the investigations? Al-Hijazi: Some defendants were referred to the attorney-general in Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... or other competent authorities, while some are still at prison. There is sensitive security information that is not published. There are some defendants and criminals in prisons, but we're waiting for the completion of investigations to show what can be shown to the media and news agencies. Magharebia: Why did you resign as Security Room spokesperson? Al-Hijazi: I didn't resign, but I was dismissed and I was the last to know it because I called a spade a spade and I used the word killers for killers. However, those who apply themselves too closely to little things often become incapable of great things... the lobbies that control Tripoli and the country don't want anyone who says the word of truth. I'm satisfied with what I have done and I still work as an unknown soldier. Magharebia: Has the Joint Security Room failed in securing Benghazi? Al-Hijazi: No, it hasn't failed, but it's been put in a serious situation. This is what happens when a security or military agency is put in a serious, extraordinary situation like Benghazi and is denied support, equipment and supplies, in which case it becomes like a rifle without ammunition. We didn't fail; rather, there had been success at the start when the room was first created with personal efforts. Military personnel donated their own salaries to provide meals because salaries used to come two or three months late. How can a soldier be asked to work while he's been challenged in his own livelihood? Nonetheless, we've made major security achievements, and if there had been support from the incapable government and GNC, the achievements would have been bigger. Those who failed are those decision-makers who were unable to support security agencies. |
| Posted by:Fred |