Libya’s Interior Minister Fathy Bashagha has stressed that the Government of National Accord (GNA) will not accept any ceasefire before the Libyan National Army (LNA) withdraws from the western region.
In a Friday interview with Radio Monte Carlo, Bashagha said the French government was briefed on the current situation in Libya, describing the military operation launched by LNA near the capital Tripoli as “shocking, surprising, and unjustified.”
“The silence of some countries on the military operation launched by LNA seems for the Presidency Council as an implicit acceptance of the aggression, so the GNA has asked these countries to determine their positions and renew their recognition of the legitimacy of the UN-backed government,” he said.
Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, whose forces hold the east of the country, launched an offensive on April 4 to seize Tripoli, seat of the UN-recognized government.
Last week, Faiez al-Sarraj, who heads the GNA, made a three-day visit to Rome, Berlin, Paris, and London. But instead of an unequivocal condemnation of Haftar’s campaign that Sarraj was after, he was that told the best international diplomacy could offer is a ceasefire that would not require Haftar to withdraw to his prior positions.
The ongoing clashes have killed more than 440 people and displaced nearly 60,000 since they began on April 4, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The UN Security Council called Friday on warring Libyan parties to recommit to political talks and agree to a ceasefire as a month-long offensive on the capital showed no sign of ending.
The unanimous press statement followed a closed-door meeting called by Britain to discuss the humanitarian situation in Tripoli as world powers seek to overcome divisions over means to respond to the crisis.
“Most of the forces that are fighting alongside the GNA have already fought against ISIS group in Sirte, and previously cooperated with the international coalition that included the United States, Britain, and France,” Bashagha said, adding that his ministry “has arrested terrorists who infiltrated to the GNA-allied forces.”
The LNA has repeatedly accused the GNA of recruiting militants and extremists to fight in its ranks, but in a tit-for-tat, Bashaga revealed the GNA will issue a report of alleged internationally wanted militants who fight alongside the LNA.
“The international community, especially Europe, is interested in the security and political stability of Libya, but the current unrest will disturb the security and stability of the whole region,” Bashagha warned.
In late April, the interior minister told his police officials to “stop dealing with France” due to the latter’s alleged support for Haftar.
The French authorities rejected the accusation, highlighting the French support for the Tripoli-based government in the form of capacity-building, training of the presidential guard, the army, and the coast guard.
Libya has remained beset by turmoil since long-serving ruler Muammar Qaddafi was ousted and killed in 2011.
Since then, the country has seen the emergence of two rival governments: one in eastern Libya, with which Haftar is affiliated, and another in Tripoli, which enjoys UN recognition.
