LONDON – Since the end of last year's revolution, security concerns in Libya have been greatly exacerbated by the failure of the central government to impose its authority in any meaningful fashion. Now, more than ever, however, Libyans are looking to the executive for answers to this and many other issues. As Ali Zidan settles into office as prime minister, he will be aware that the government's success in navigating Libya through this turbulent and very critical period will depend hugely on the performance of both his interior and defense ministers. Thankfully, Zidan chose two experienced and professional candidates for both posts. Interior Minister Ashour Shuwail holds three degrees in law & criminology including a PhD with 35 years experience in Libya's security sector. Defense Minister Mohamed Bargati is a professional army officer and veteran of the Libyan armed forces with a vast wealth of experience and skill. Shuwail got down to business upon winning his appeal against the Integrity Commission's decision to disbar him. Following his confirmation by the GNC, he presented his plans for improving the security situation in the country to Congress. In subsequent TV interviews Shuwail emphasised that he had backing from both the GNC and the prime minister to go ahead and start implementing his plans. The immediate tasks as highlighted by Shuwail are the security situation in Benghazi and the urgent need to address the issue of assassination of prominent army and security figures in the city, which most recently targeted Benghazi's Security Directorate Colonel Faraj Drissi. The events of the past two days, following the arrest of a potential suspect in these assassinations, makes the Benghazi file an even more pressing issue. Shortly prior to this arrest, Shuwail had complained of a lack of firm intelligence on the assassinations and warned that pointing fingers at a certain group without the requisite evidence could be counterproductive to efforts to resolve the case. The other huge task facing Shuwail is the issue of the armed militias and the widespread availability of arms throughout Libya more broadly. He has emphasised the importance of encouraging and offering incentives to all police and security personnel to actually get back to work, remarking that Libya has up to 100,000 professional security personnel, less than have of whom have reported for duty. The Ministry of Interior's plan is to ensure that the complete number return to service so that the professional police would be more visible throughout Libya with all the resources and equipment required, which he is certain would have a positive effect on the overall security situation. Another operational difficulty with Libya's current security arrangements is the lack of cooperation and coordination between the Supreme Security Committee and the National Security and Police Forces. Shuwail characterised the relationship between the two bodies as negatively charged and counterproductive to the overall security situation in the country. He emphasised the pivotal role the SSC played during and after the revolution, but insisted that the logical and natural progression now would be re-integration of SSC members individually into the National Police and Security Services, as is now taking place. That being said, Shuwail appears to have refuted suggestions that those currently holding leadership positions in the SSC should automatically be offered senior posts in the police or military without proper training. – Libya Herald
