The Supreme Council of the Amazighs of Libya called on the international community and the Security Council to intervene to protect their people from what they described as an “ethnic war” targeting them.
In a statement issued by the Council, it accused the “caretaker government forces” of violating the rights of children and civilians, describing these actions as threatening peace in the region.
The statement held the Libyan Presidential Council, in its capacity as Supreme Commander of the Army, fully responsible for maintaining the security and safety of the region.
The statement confirmed that the Amazighs are facing an ethnic and tribal war led by the government and its designated Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi, noting that the measures taken by the Endowments Authority in Tripoli against the Ibadi sect constitute a clear and explicit threat to the Amazighs who belong to this sect, considering this a prelude to the government’s targeting of the Amazighs.
In its statement, the Council stressed their right to defend themselves and respond to these threats, indicating that they will have to resort to international courts to refer the case for consideration, adding that this step will be irreversible when taken.
In a related context, Libyan media sources reported that armed skirmishes took place on the outskirts of the city of Zuwara, as a result of an attempt by forces from outside the city to enter it.
The Amazigh constitute an essential component of the Libyan people, as estimates indicate that their number in Libya ranges between 20% to 30% of the total population, or approximately 2 to 3 million people, and they are mainly concentrated in western Libya, especially in the areas of Jabal Nafusa and Jabal Gharyan and Fezzan Province.
The Amazigh claim that they are politically marginalized and have not received fair representation in power and government institutions, and many of them suffer from poverty and unemployment.
The Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives stresses on Libya’s readiness for the elections and calls for overcoming external interference