Fathi Bashagha was born on August 20, 1962. He is originally from the city of Misurata, in the west of Libya, where he pursued his secondary and university education. He joined the Libyan Aviation Academy in Misurata and graduated in 1984 as a Second Lieutenant Fighter Pilot. In 1985, he obtained a certificate as a fighter pilot instructor and was appointed in the same year as an instructor pilot at the Academy.
In 1993, he resigned from the Air Force and started working in the field of trade and import. After the February 17th revolution, he held several important positions, including member of the Libyan Military Council in 2011 and member of the Shura Council formed by the Local Council of Misurata in 2013. He was also elected in June 2014 as member of the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR) representing the city of Misurata and was chosen to chair the Dialogue Committee held in Ghadames in 2014; and then he was chosen as a member of the Libyan Political Dialogue Committee in 2015, whose meetings were held in Geneva, Ghadames and Skhirat, and which resulted in the formation of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj.
He served as Minister of Interior in the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) starting October 7, 2018, following the issuance of Resolution 1371 of 2018 by the President of the Presidency Council of the GNA, Fayez al-Sarraj, appointing him Minister of Interior to succeed Brigadier General Abdel Salam Ashour, upon successful reforms adopted by the PC at that time.
During his mandate as Minister of Interior, Bashagha sought to break the barrier between the citizen and the Ministry, allowing citizens to communicate with the Ministry of Interior and file complaints more quickly by launching the application الداخلية موبايل, which helped reduce serious and recurrent crimes and abuses.
Under his leadership, the Ministry also succeeded in arresting many high-profile criminals such as human traffickers, drug and oil traffickers, and members of extremist groups. He also managed to pursue and arrest many criminals who were trying to flee the country, setting a security precedent in Libya.
Bashagha managed to achieve many security reforms during his tenure at the Ministry, most importantly restoring the ministry's role, organizing trainings for security services, and setting the bases for the project of dismantling and reintegrating individuals from armed groups.
He has also played an important role in strengthening relations and enhancing cooperation between Libya and various influential countries, in the interest of the Libyan state and its various security and military institutions, and in a way that supports reconciliation and peaceful settlement.
Within this framework, he signed cooperation agreements with several international companies, particularly Airbus, K2 Intelligence, and Rose Partners, to ensure that Libya keeps up with the latest developments and technologies used in the security and technical fields.
In addition, he aimed to restructure and reinforce the police at border crossings and airports and to launch his project to establish a comprehensive electronic security system and unify the passport system between the East and West.
He also made tireless efforts to combat money laundering and fight corruption throughout the country, to ensure that all those who tried to loot the wealth of the Libyan people are held accountable.
On March 16, 2021, Bashagha handed over his duties to the Minister of Interior of the new National Unity Government, Brigadier General Khaled Mazen.
Fathi Bashagha was born on August 20, 1962, in Misurata, in the west of Libya. He pursued his secondary and university education in the same city, where he joined the Libyan Aviation Academy and obtained a BA in Aeronautics; then graduated in 1984 as a Second Lieutenant Fighter Pilot. In 1985, he obtained a certificate as a fighter pilot instructor and was appointed in the same year as an instructor pilot at the Academy. That marked the beginning of his professional life.
After graduating from the Misurata Aviation Academy as a Second Lieutenant Fighter Pilot, he was chosen from among five officers to train students after successfully completing the training course in 1985. He held the position of Flight Instructor at the academy until 1993 – the year that marked a significant change in his career, as he resigned from the Air Force and started working in the field of trade and import, mainly with the “International Company for Import” and “Zad Al Rakib” company.
After the February 17th revolution, he held several important positions, including member of the Libyan Military Council in 2011 and member of the Shura Council formed by the Local Council of Misurata in 2013. He was also elected in June 2014 as member of the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR) representing the city of Misurata and was chosen to chair the Dialogue Committee held in Ghadames in 2014;
and then he was chosen as a member of the Libyan Political Dialogue Committee in 2015, whose meetings were held in Geneva, Ghadames and Skhirat, and which resulted in the formation of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj.
He served as Minister of Interior in the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) starting October 7, 2018, following the issuance of Resolution 1371 of 2018 by the President of the Presidency Council of the GNA, Fayez al-Sarraj, appointing him Minister of Interior to succeed Brigadier General Abdel Salam Ashour, upon successful reforms adopted by the Council at that time.
Married and has 5 children. Bashagha dedicates part of his time to supporting youth sports initiatives and activities. He is also a scout leader and enjoys horse riding.