Defense and National Security (DNSC) chairman Fathalla al-Saiti is one of the most prominent supporters of the Government of National Accord (GNA)’s Presidential Council (PC). This support is thought to be the reason why he was relieved from his duties following widened political gap in the House of Representative (HoR) between GNA proponents and opponents led by Speaker Aguila Saleh. Yet he claims that he has not lost his position, as the dismissal allegedly went against HoR’s by-laws.

Defense and National Security (DNSC) chairman Fathalla al-Saiti is one of the most prominent supporters of the Government of National Accord (GNA)’s Presidential Council (PC). This support is thought to be the reason why he was relieved from his duties following widened political gap in the House of Representative (HoR) between GNA proponents and opponents led by Speaker Aguila Saleh. Yet he claims that he has not lost his position, as the dismissal allegedly went against HoR’s by-laws.

Saiti talked to Correspondents about his “dismissal,” the military events that started ten days ago near his hometown, Sultan, 120 kilometers west of Benghazi, and the future of the GNA.

Fathalla Saiti, what was your response to the decision to relieve you and appoint Talal Maihoub as your successor as DNSC head?

I personally do not care about it. I am still DNSC head because the decision to appoint Maihoub goes completely against HoR’s by-laws.

Was the dispute between you and PC Vice President Ali Qatrani— following the altercation when he accused you of obstructed military support inside the HoR – the reason behind your dismissal?

What happened between me and Qatrani was not a dispute, but more of a difference in points of view. It is not as complicated as you think and it does not need reconciliation efforts. I have already confirmed that on more than one occasion and on some TV channels. We actually have the same goal, working for the country’s best interests and protecting it by building a strong military establishment capable of maintaining state sovereignty and imposing its influence.

Was it a difference in points of view when Qatrani accused you of backing militias?

Yes, it is the ultimate point of disagreement. Having different points of views is a natural result of democracy, which is a new experience to Libyans who lived four decades under a tyrannical government. This is why disagreement in Libya now ends in leveling accusations, despite the integrity of goals and the nobility of intentions. Since I am convinced that this accusation is just a result of democracy, I did not pay it any attention, especially since my relationship with Qatrani is very good.

What do you think of the situation in Ajdabiya, the fourth constituency that elected you an MP, because a war is about to erupt there between Benghazi Defense Companies (BDCs) formed by Dar al-Iftaa in Tripoli and the HoR Libyan army led by Lieutenant General Khalifa Haftar?

I wish with all my heart that beloved Ajdabiya is spared the horrors of a new war because it suffered enough in 2011. Unfortunately, however, its strategic location pushes GNA opponents to use it as a negotiation card by controlling it.

I personally believe that the GNA is the only chance to end all wars in Libya and for the continuation of a Libyan state. If this opportunity is missed, I expect Libya to enter a very dark stage similar to the situation in Lebanon during the civil war.

We hope that Libya avoids that through the international community’s support of the GNA, which, through its expert personnel, is qualified to lead the stage and lay the foundations of the state. The alternative would be dispersion, fragmentation, tribalism, regionalism and individual ambitions and the loser would be first Libyans, followed by neighboring countries that would suffer due to uncontrolled illegal migration.

You may have noticed the amount of confusion Libyans experience between two armies: the PC’s army which is led by Misrata Brigade and is fighting in Sirte against ISIS, and the HoR’s army. Which one of them, in your opinion, is the regular army in Libya?

I must acknowledge that the HoR is still the only legitimate legislative institution in the country. Pursuant to Skhirat agreement, it has waived the power of supervising the armed forces to the PC. Hence, there is no such a thing as an HoR army or PC army. All armed forces are or are supposed to be under the PC. To say or accept otherwise violates the Skhirat agreement that is meant to be a real social contract between the political, social and cultural components of the Libyan people.

Both the BDCs and the Petroleum Facility Guard Service, which are fighting against each other in Ajdabiya, recognize the GNA. What is the government’s position regarding that?

As far as I know, the government has nothing to do with the BDCs which have been formed neither by the PC nor by the Ministry of Defense – MoD.

Why has not the PC stated anything on BDCs’ emergence? Does not it mean an implied approval?

The MoD issued a statement explaining GNA’s official position. The statement criticized and denounced what the BDCs did. The GNA was satisfied with that and I believe it is also about to take action on the ground, not just issuing statements.

The political conflict between Haftar and Minister of Defense Mahdi Barghathi – a candidate for a GNA position – is no longer a secret. Since you are close to the latter and work closely with the former, do you think they can come to terms?

You know that politics is the art of the possible. In my opinion, the GNA should include and respect everyone while maintaining the interest of the people and the country.

As an MP, why has not the HoR met yet to amend the Constitutional Declaration and to approve/disapprove the GNA?

Not holding a sitting is a natural legal result of a lack of quorum, which is a natural result of MPs’ different political views regarding the GNA where over 100 MPs support the GNA while a small minority rejects it. We hope that soon there will be a convergence of the views of the HoR’s two blocs and that sessions will take place in a friendly atmosphere full of democratic negotiations and agreement.