Fathi Bashagha
Fathi Ali Abdul Salam Bashagha (Arabic: فتحي علي عبد السلام باشآغا; born 20 August 1962), known simply as "Fathi Bashagha" or occasionally Fathi Ali Pasha, is a Libyan politician and the former interim prime minister of Government of National Stability.[2] He served as Minister of Interior from 2018 to 2021.
Fathi Bashagha
Salim Zadma
Osama Hamada (acting)
Khalid Mazen
20 August 1962
Misrata, Kingdom of Libya
Air College, Misrata
1984–1993
Air College, Misrata
On 10 February 2022, Bashagha was selected as prime minister-designate by the eastern-based Libyan House of Representatives. However, GNU Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh rejected Bashagha's appointment as prime minister, stating that he will only hand over power after a national election.[3] Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army welcomed Bashagha's appointment.[4]
On 16 May 2023, the Libyan eastern- based parliament suspended Bashagha and assigned his duties to the finance minister Osama Hamada.[5]
Early life and education[edit]
Bashagha was born on 20 August 1962,[6] in the city of Misrata, Kingdom of Libya.[7]
Bashagha was a member of the Boy Scouts of Libya.[8]
Bashagha graduated from the Misrata aviation college in 1984 and spent a decade working as a trainer pilot specializing in fighter jets. He remained at the aviation college until he resigned from the Libyan Air Force in 1993 and started working in the import-export trade.
He is of Kouloughli-Turkish descent.[9]
Military career[edit]
After the 2011 Libyan revolution, the Judicial Committee was formed. The Judicial Committee summoned serving and resigned officers to form a military committee, the Military Council in Misrata, of which Bashagha was a member.[10]
Bashagha has since 2013 been involved in the Libya Dawn Operations of 2013–14, and the 2019–20 Western Libya campaign "Volcano of Anger" counteroffensive operation against the LNA Operation Flood of Dignity.
In 2011, he joined the Military Council as Head of the Information and Coordinates Department, then as spokesperson for the Misrata Military Council. He joined the advisory committee at the National Reconciliation Commission. He served as a member of the controversial Misrata Shura Council in 2012, and is considered a supporter of and involved in the Libya Dawn operations. In 2013, he ran for the position of Minister of Defence.[11]