Eastern Libyan National Army (LNA) “was welcomed” Wednesday into Gharyan town, northwestern Libya, by its residents, LNA spokesperson Ahmed al-Mismari announced early Thursday.
Entering Gharyan, commanded as an important location at the edge of the Nafusa Mountains region on the road towards Tripoli, has increased suspicions of the Faiez Sarraj’s Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (LNA) about its alleged plan to enter the capital.
In response to the LNA’s progress toward the western region, the GNA’s Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha previously said his forces will “combat any attempt to destabilize Tripoli.”
Further, a clash lasting for one hour was reported near Gharyan between the LNA and forces allied to Sarraj. However, no details about causalities have been reported.
The worry of Sarraj’s government is shared with the UN Mission Support in Libya (UNSMIL), as it is expected that if LNA entered Tripoli, a civil war would erupt between the power rivals.
Hence, the UN has expedited its efforts to hold presidential and parliamentarian elections and bring Libyan parties together at the National Forum, set to be held by the end of April in Ghadames.
Also, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Tripoli Wednesday with his Special Representative and head of the UNSMIL Ghassan Salamé.
