Envoy of the U.N. Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Ghassan Salame discussed on Saturday with General Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar the circumstances that led to the outbreak of fighting in the western region.
During a meeting in al-Rujmeh, an eastern area outside Benghazi, the LNA’s main base, Salame and Haftar shed light on the humanitarian situation in Tripoli and the ways to accelerate the transition towards reaching a political solution.
Salame met Haftar for the first tome since the tensions in western Libya erupted on April 4, when Haftar pushed his forces to the western region where the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord is based.
The war in Tripoli has killed more than 560 people, injured 2,800 and forced more than 82,000 to flee their homes.
The deteriorating situation near Tripoli has led to the suspension of flights in Mitiga International Airport after its perimeter was struck Friday by three mortar shells, Libyan Airlines told AFP.
No one has claimed the responsibility of the attack, and the LNA spokesperson Ahmed al-Mismari denied Friday night issuing any orders to carry out a special mission or operation targeting Mitiga International Airport.
He also urged media outlets to “commit to accuracy” when reporting news.
