TRIPOLI, June 19 (Xinhua) -- General Najmi al-Naqou, commander of the Libyan presidential guard, told Xinhua that a request has been submitted to the UN Security Council to exclude the presidential guards from the arms embargo imposed on the country.
"Two weeks ago, we made a formal request to the UN Security Council to exclude the Presidential Guard from the arms embargo imposed on Libya under the sanctions committee's decisions. We expect a positive decision to be made in our favor in the coming days," Al-Nakou said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Sunday.
Al-Nakou pointed out that a year has passed since the formation of the presidential guard, a regular force composed of army and police, whose functions are to protect the sovereign facilities and borders, government members, and official delegations visiting Libya.
Al-Nakou assured that members of the presidential guards are not affiliated to any political party and that they are performing their work without prejudice to anyone, especially as the presidential guards service has been form based on the political agreement to achieve security and order in the country.
"We have training centers currently. Many will graduate with the anniversary of the establishment of the Libyan army on August 9. In one year, we have made significant progress by forming the actual force. We have in Tripoli more than four thousand recruits. Were assigned tasks to them, including securing the presidential council and members of the government of national accord, in addition to securing some ministries," Al-Nakou said regarding the number of members of the presidential guards.
Fayez Sarraj, UN-backed prime minister, issued decision No. 2 in May 2016, establishing the presidential guards to be based in the capital Tripoli and consisting of members of army and police units.
The army forces, led by the eastern-based General Khalifa Haftar, did not welcome the establishment of the presidential guards, considering it an attempt to take over the powers of the armed forces.
"It is not true at all. The presidential guards is a security formation in many countries in the world. Our functions do not conflict with the duties of the army and police," Al-Nakou responded to army accusation.
Al-Nakou praised the efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya to support the presidential guards by providing advice on security arrangements.
In response to claims that the presidential guards only controls Tripoli, Al-Nakou stressed that the presidential guards is gradually spreading in the entire Libyan territory, especially with the government's decision to form a number of brigades affiliated to the presidential guards.
"Work has been divided into three phases. The western region will have seven brigades, the first of which will be in Tripoli. These brigades combat smuggling and control the western borders, preventing the entry of extremists from neighboring countries," Al-Nakou revealed.
"We are not affiliated to any particular political party. We have contacts with a number of security services in the south and east of the country. We reiterate our non-contradiction with the functions of the national army. We seek to support the army to achieve security and protect the country from any threat."
