Libya’s renegade General Chalifa Haftar has ordered his troops to advance towards the capital, Tripoli. „The time has come,“ Haftar said in an audio message published by his Libyan National Army (LNA).
„Today we complete (…) our victorious march, the march of the fight,“ said Haftar. „Today we are responding to the calls of our loved ones in our expensive capital, as we promised them.“
He called on his soldiers to invade peacefully and raise their arms only against those who „seek injustice and prefer confrontation and combat.“
Chaos in Libya
Since the military intervention by NATO and the overthrow of the ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi, there has been chaos in the North African country. Haftar and the internationally recognized government of Fayez al-Sarraj in Tripoli face each other as the main opponents. However, the government in Tripoli does not control large parts of the country.
Haftar supports with his troops a counter-government, which reigns in the east of Libya. He is supported by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia. Over the past few months, Haftar’s troops had advanced from the east to the border with Algeria in western Libya. Among other things, they brought oil wells under their control.
On Wednesday evening, Haftar’s LNA announced plans to prepare for an offensive in the west of the country to cleanse the country of „terrorists and mercenaries.“
Haftar and al-Sarraj had repeatedly voted for elections, most recently in February at a meeting in Abu Dhabi. The UN spoke of an appointment this year, but there is no concrete date yet.
International concern
The announcement Haftar now triggers international concern. The US and several allies warned against a military escalation and threatened with consequences. A statement from the United States, the UAE and other states said the violence threatens to „drive Libya back to chaos.“ Stand together behind the UN Special Mediator Ghassan Salame. All actors in Libya should work constructively with Salame.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was concerned about the military operation during a visit to the North African country. He said via Twitter that there was no military solution to the conflict. „Only an intra-Libyan dialogue can solve the Libyan problems,“ he wrote. He called on the conflicting parties to rest and restraint.
In Washington, a joint statement was released by the United States, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. „Our governments oppose any military action in Libya and will hold to account any Libyan faction that causes further conflict.“
