• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Africa

Haftar’s forces dim hopes of salvaging UN ceasefire talks

20 February 2020, 7:20 AM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar meets Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The eastern-based LNA of Khalifa Haftar, which shelled on Tuesday the port of the capital held by the recognized government, also ruled out a truce with “terrorists” and “Turkish invaders”, suggesting a near year-long battle will continue

Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar meets Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Image: Reuters

The eastern-based LNA of Khalifa Haftar, which shelled on Tuesday the port of the capital held by the recognized government, also ruled out a truce with “terrorists” and “Turkish invaders”, suggesting a near year-long battle will continue

Libya’s internationally recognised leader on Wednesday dashed hopes of quickly reviving UN ceasefire negotiations after his side withdrew, saying talk of them resuming had been overtaken by events as eastern forces continue to shell the capital.

The eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) of Khalifa Haftar, which shelled on Tuesday the port of the capital held by the recognized government, also ruled out a truce with “terrorists” and “Turkish invaders”, suggesting a near year-long battle will continue.

The port is a major entry gate for wheat, fuel and food imports but also an arrival point for Turkish vessels sending arms, drones, trucks and soldiers to help Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj fend off the LNA, which is supported by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan and Russian mercenaries.

The conflict has cut oil exports by 1 million barrels a day and could deepen a security vacuum that would be exploited by militants and human traffickers dispatching migrants by boat to Europe.

The Tripoli government left the ceasefire talks late on Tuesday and a defiant Serraj, visiting the shelled port on Wednesday, rebuffed calls to return immediately to the negotiation table.

“There must first be a strong signal from all international players who are trying to talk to us,” he told reporters, saying this also applied to parallel discussions focused on political and economic issues.

He suggested fighting was likely to continue: “We have an even stronger signal than that, which is defending our people.”

Photographs showed containers in the port with large black holes in them. The National Oil Corporation and United Nations said shells had almost hit a highly explosive gas tanker.

Nearly nine years after rebel fighters backed by NATO air strikes overthrew dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Libya still has no central authority. The streets are controlled by armed factions, with rival governments based in Tripoli and the east.

“We really want a ceasefire and serious negotiations to end the war for the sake of all Libyans,” Jalal al-Bosairi, a 45-year-old businessman, said in a Tripoli cafe.

Since the LNA marched on Tripoli nearly a year ago, fighting has displaced 150,000 people.

Difficult truce talks 

A second round of talks involving military officers of both sides began in Geneva on Tuesday following a summit in Germany a month ago involving countries with major stakes in the conflict.

UN Libya envoy Ghassan Salame was trying to convince the Tripoli delegation to stay in Geneva and resume indirect talks earlier on Wednesday, the United Nations confirmed.

“Delegations are still here (in Geneva) and Dr. Salame has a meeting today with the head of the GNA delegation,” said Jean El Alam, spokesman for the United Nations Libya mission, referring to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord.

The Geneva meetings have so far been held in different rooms. Another round of political talks is scheduled next week in Geneva.

LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari said his forces had decided to send a delegation to Geneva. But he added: “There will be no peace, talks or ceasefire with terrorists and Turkish invaders.”

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Haftar and they agreed a political settlement is the only option for Libya, RIA news agency said on Wednesday.

The latest attack on Tripoli is part of an emerging pattern amounting to an apparent power play by Haftar.

His forces last month shut down Libya’s main oil ports as European and Arab powers and the United States were meeting with his supporters in Berlin to try to halt the Tripoli fighting.

LNA supply routes are less exposed than those of the GNA as eastern airports and seaports are out of range of the Turkish combat drones used by the Tripoli government.

In contrast, the LNA uses UAE-supplied drones which cover the whole country, although there have been no air strikes for weeks as Turkey has installed sophisticated defences.

Share article
Tags: RussiaEgyptUnited NationsUNLibyaKhalifa HaftarMuammar GaddafiUnited Arab EmiratesJordanLibyan National ArmyFayez al-Serraj
Previous Post

Cosatu to lead march for safe, reliable rail system

Next Post

Eskom to implement Stage 2 load shedding

Related Posts

Kenya's President-elect William Ruto is seen speaking during an interview at ahis Karen residence in Nairobi, Kenya, July 20, 2022.

EFF appeals to Kenyans to protect their democracy

18 August 2022, 7:18 AM
Ghana's cedi currency has continued its steep decline since the July monetary policy meeting, losing more than 6% against the dollar on Wednesday alone, according to Refinitiv Eikon data.

Ghana delivers biggest rate hike ever at emergency meeting

18 August 2022, 4:44 AM
Electric wires are pictured in Ojuelegba district in Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos, Nigeria June 18, 2018.

Nigeria electricity workers suspend strike that caused blackout

17 August 2022, 11:22 PM
Germany's participation in the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali

German troops spot Russian forces in Mali as French pull out: Document

17 August 2022, 5:44 PM
Kenya's president-elect William Ruto speaks during a news conference with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of East Africa in his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, Kenya.

Kenya’s Ruto says no time to waste after election as rival prepares court challenge

17 August 2022, 3:35 PM
President João Lourenço, from the MPLA, is seeking a second five-year term but the main opposition party UNITA looks more popular than ever.

Angolans abroad to vote for first time, but wonder if it will change anything

17 August 2022, 3:12 PM
Next Post
According to Eskom the Stage 2 load shedding is due to the loss of three additional units overnight.

Eskom to implement Stage 2 load shedding

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • Pick n Pay launches new supermarket brand
  • Public has two weeks to make comments on proposed changes to pension funds
  • Elon Musk says he is buying Manchester United
  • Home Affairs tightens rules on passport application to curb corruption
  • 14-year-old Eastern Cape learner facing arm amputation after allegedly taking COVID-19 vaccine
  • Home Affairs clamps down on passport fraud and introduces transit visas
  • Mogalakwena Municipality in Limpopo directed to terminate appointment of more than 400 workers
  • Pick n Pay launches new supermarket brand
  • Public has two weeks to make comments on proposed changes to pension funds
  • Elon Musk says he is buying Manchester United

LATEST

Coach Dave Rennie welcomed back reinforcements to his 35-man squad after a horror run of injuries this season.
  • Sport

Foley named in Wallabies squad, O’Connor axed


  • Politics

LIVE: ANC announces nomination process ahead of its elective conference in December


File Image: Eight-year-old Tazne van Wyk.
  • South Africa

State to continue cross-examination of accused in Tazne van Wyk trial


Members of the SANDF outside Parliament,  February 8, 2017.
  • Business

Government’s decision to reprioritise funds has led to an under-equipped, direly constrained army: SANDU


[File Image] A woman protests in front of the Bangladesh parliament building over rising incidents of rape in the country.
  • South Africa

Krugersdorp gang-rape victim feels forgotten


Mmebers of Parliament during a parliament session.
  • Politics

‘Impeachment committee calls against Ramaphosa on Phala Phala farm saga premature’


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Cosatu to lead march for safe, reliable rail system
Next Eskom to implement Stage 2 load shedding