The Libyan National Army (LNA) announced early Wednesday it has seized control of the Assaedia region in southwest Tripoli, while the LNA forces are moving into positions around the capital, according to a statement by the LNA spokesperson Ahmed al-Mismari.
Mismari explained that these actions are part of “Operation Flood of Dignity” and that “its goal is the liberation of Tripoli and of all Libya.”
He addressed people living in the Tripoli area, stating that “our army is coming to you in order to save you from terrorists and criminals so that you can live in safety and with dignity.”
On April 4, the LNA announced the launch of an offensive against Tripoli. So, all military units loyal to the Government of National Accord geared up to defend the capital. The warring factions are currently involved in battles along the outskirts of Tripoli.
The United Nations has been forced to postpone a carefully planned and potentially watershed national conference on Libya’s political future after the assault on Tripoli.
The two-day conference in the town of Ghadames was due to be attended by 120 delegates on April 14-15. The decision to shelve the summit is a blow to Libya’s democratic forces, who had hoped it might open a path to presidential and parliamentary elections by the end of this year.
Ghassan Salamé, the UN special envoy for Libya, said the UN intended to convene the conference as soon as conditions permitted, but it would be impossible to hold the talks “to the backdrop of artillery shelling and air raids.”
