The advances of the Libyan army, headed by Commander Khalifa Haftar, have taken a turn and escalated as a result of Haftar’s decision to move west, based on a statement released on Wednesday by the Military Information Division of the Libyan army. The statement claimed that many military units have moved towards the western region of the country in order to wipe out what is left of terrorist groups there.
Despite the secrecy that followed this statement regarding the nature and orientation of these units in Western Libya, this did not prevent observers from saying that these developments were not surprising, although they will lead to new measures that will affect the path of the Libyan crisis and have repercussions on a strategic level.
In a statement to “The Parliament,” Member of the Presidential Council Ahmad Moaytek said that the Government of National Accord had announced a declaration of war in Tripoli, after the Libyan army’s maneuverings, overseen by Khalifa Haftar, started.
Moaytek added that the Government of National Accord is unfortunately relying on provocative statements and remarks by certain groups regarding the cleansing the western region of terrorists and the liberation of Tripoli. He also stressed that this tone does not help achieve reconciliation, that it crushes Libyan hopes of stability, and that it is a disgrace to everyone involved.
An aerial view shows military vehicles on a road in Libya
Furthermore, Moaytek said that the government in Tripoli had previously practiced self-restraint regarding any intentional escalation of the crises; however, in line with their new reliance on the rhetoric of animosity, the Presidential Council released clear instructions to all military and security forces, the army, the police, and all its other organizations, to be prepared and to stand against any threats to the security of the country. These threats included criminal organizations, terrorist organizations, outlaws, or mercenaries that threatened the safety of any Libyan city.
Moaytek stressed that the Libyan crisis does not have a military solution and that the war will only bring the country’s destruction and the people’s suffering; he urged the government not to use a threatening tone and, instead, to resort to tones of reason and wisdom.
Led by Khalifa Hafter, the Libyan army’s advances come amid the arrival of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, in preparation for a general national meeting scheduled to take place next month in Ghadames.
This visit, which came before the date was set for the national Libyan meeting, embodies UN envoy Ghasan Salameh’s efforts to provide national support to Libya, and it is an attempt to encourage the Libyans to get over their differences regarding the crisis affecting the country.
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