Libyan National Army (LNA)’s military operation in southern Libya is “acceptable” as long as it achieves Libyan interests, Ministry of Interior of the Government of the National Accord (GNA) Fathi Bashagha said Saturday.
Bashagha, despite Prime Minister Faiez Sarraj’s anti-LNA stance, told Alhurra TV channel that the east-based army would play a “patriotic role” if it only sought to eliminate armed groups from the south, rather than make political interests.
The GNA is concerned about actions taken without consultations, he said, commenting on the tension between the LNA commander Khalifa Haftar and Sarraj over the southern oilfields and the military operation launched on 15 January.
Sarraj already criticized the operation and called on the LNA to halt it. He also appointed Ali Kenna as a commander of Sabha Military region after Haftar declared he would secure Libya’s biggest oilfield, el-Sharara.
For his part, Bashaga told the US channel the division would have adverse consequences on Libya, calling upon political factions to compromise for the sake of the country and never resort to armed confrontations.
