The Libyan Prime Minister, Ali Zeidan on Friday denied claims that a military coup had taken place in Libya. At an emergency news briefing, Zeidan reassured that the situation was still under control and that the government and the National General Congress (Parliament) had resumed their activities. The military coup claims followed an announcement by the former Army Chief of staff, Gen. Khalifa Haftar.
He announced that the activities of Parliament were stopped and the transitional Constitution of the country suspended. Zeidan said he had instructed the Defence ministry to take action against Gen. Haftar while calling on the army to act responsibly and respect the will of the people.
“We shall not accept the confiscation of the revolution of the Libyan people,” Zeidan warned, denying that soldiers were out on the streets. Reacting to Gen. Haftar’s statement, the Libyan Defence Minister, Abdellah al-Theni, said that the claims were “ridiculous’’.
He assured that the situation had remained normal in Tripoli and in some of the major cities across the country in spite of the announcement by the former Army Chief.
Sources said this was not the first time Gen. Haftar had made such a claim having been involved in the past in a coup attempt, citing the malfunctioning of the country’s institutions.
