On 12 February in the morning, the car of Government of National Unity (GNU) Minister of State for Prime Minister and Cabinet Affairs Adel Jumaa was shot at by unidentified gunmen shortly after he had left Palm City on the Second Ring Road in Tripoli. The car was hit with 14 bullets, two of which hit the minister’s legs. Jumaa was transported to Abu Salim Hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit for treatment.
The GNU condemned the assassination attempt and said that the minister’s condition is stable. The GNU added that security agencies have started an investigation to identify and arrest the assailants and to reveal the background of the attack. It emphasized that it would not tolerate any attempts to threaten the security and stability of the state. The GNU reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening security and upholding the rule of law. In the late afternoon of the same day, Jumaa was transferred from Mitiga airport by air ambulance to Rome, Italy for treatment.
UNSMIL strongly condemned the assassination attempt against Jumaa and called for a swift, full and transparent investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. UNSMIL stated that there is no justification for the use of violence against public officials or any other civilians. Such acts of violence undermine stability and security in Tripoli and nationwide.
The High State Council (HSC) under Muhammed Takala condemned the attack on Adel Jumaa, calling it an act of terrorism, as did the HSC under Khaled al-Mishri. Moreover, GNU Deputy PM and acting Minister of Health Ramadan Abu Jennah, Minister of Local Government Badr al-Deen al- Toumi, the Ministry of Justice, the National Institution for Human Rights in Libya and others expressed their strong condemnation of the assassination attempt against Jumaa.
On 13 February, the EU Mission in Libya, the U.S. Embassy, the French Embassy, and several other foreign representations in Libya also condemned the assassination attempt.
After the assassination attempt, security forces increased patrolling in western Tripoli. For the time being, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.