El-Menfi Bans Armed Presence in Tripoli Amid Fears of Security Breakdown

12th June 2025

2 minutes read

El-Menfi Bans Armed Presence in Tripoli Amid Fears of Security Breakdown

Amid rising security tensions and unusual military mobilization among rival factions in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, the head of the Presidential Council, Mohamed al-Menfi, has issued an official decree banning all armed manifestations within the city. This move is a clear attempt to prevent a renewed descent into violent conflict in a country still reeling from years of unrest. However, how the decision will be enforced on the ground remains uncertain, given the country’s ongoing divisions and the overwhelming power of militias.

The decree, published officially, prohibits the movement of brigades and armed groups “under any pretext,” and emphasizes that only the Tripoli Security Directorate and Military Police are authorized to maintain public order. This decision is intended to reinforce the role of official security institutions and limit the influence of militias, though its actual implementation is already being called into question.

Sources close to the Presidential Council stated that the move comes amid serious efforts to de-escalate growing tensions, especially after several armed formations were seen mobilizing unexpectedly within and around Tripoli in recent days. Reports suggest these movements could lead to new clashes between rival factions vying for control of the capital.

The directive follows a fragile agreement recently reached between the Presidential Council and the Government of National Unity, led by Abdulhamid Dbeibah, to jointly manage the growing security crisis. However, observers note that several powerful militias have ignored the deal and continued to mobilize troops and military equipment independently, without coordination with official authorities.

Despite public displays of unity, significant disagreements remain beneath the surface, particularly regarding the distribution of power and control. The Dbeibah government relies heavily on armed factions as a support force on the ground, complicating the enforcement of the presidential order and raising doubts about its feasibility.

The resurgence of security chaos in Tripoli—visible once again in recent weeks—has sparked widespread concern both within Libya and internationally. On the domestic front, many citizens fear a return to armed conflict, which in the past has led to deadly violence and destruction in densely populated neighborhoods.

Regionally and internationally, the situation has prompted warnings from the UN Special Envoy to Libya and several Western and Arab embassies. They stress the need to respect sovereign decisions and immediately halt unauthorized military movements, warning that continued militia activity could unravel what little stability remains in the country and invite new foreign interference.

Should the enforcement of this decision fail, efforts to rebuild security institutions or resume meaningful political dialogue may be undermined. The persistence of armed influence outside the state’s authority remains the biggest obstacle to restoring effective governance in Libya.

In a context of fragile political agreements and deep institutional division between East and West, the continued possession of weapons by armed groups keeps Tripoli in a perpetual state of volatility, ready to erupt at any moment. The key question now is whether Libyan institutions can regain control of the security situation, or if the country is heading toward another cycle of violence, under the hesitant gaze of the international community.