• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home Africa

Libya strongman Haftar orders ‘advance’ on Tripoli

4 April 2019, 10:19 PM  |
|  @SABCNews
Haftar ordered his troops on April 4 to "advance" on Tripoli, seat of the internationally-recognised unity government, after UN chief Antonio Guterres warned against a major flare-up.

Haftar ordered his troops on April 4 to "advance" on Tripoli, seat of the internationally-recognised unity government, after UN chief Antonio Guterres warned against a major flare-up.

Image: AFP

Haftar ordered his troops on April 4 to "advance" on Tripoli, seat of the internationally-recognised unity government, after UN chief Antonio Guterres warned against a major flare-up.

Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar ordered his troops Thursday to “advance” on Tripoli, seat of the internationally-recognised unity government, as world powers warned of consequences for military action.

Haftar’s forces announced Wednesday they were gearing up for an offensive in the west of the country to purge it of “terrorists and mercenaries”, having seized key areas of the country’s south since the start of the year.

“The time has come,” Haftar said in an audio message released Thursday by his self-proclaimed Libyan National Army, pledging to spare civilians and “state institutions”.

Dozens of militias have fought for control of the North African country since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Haftar’s forces have emerged as a key player, opposing the government in Tripoli and backing a parallel administration in the east.

On Thursday evening LNA spokesman Ahmed Mesmari announced that the force was “at the gates of the capital” and said it was not clear whether there would be any resistance from armed groups there.

Unity government chief Fayez al-Sarraj earlier condemned Haftar’s “escalation” and said he had ordered loyalist forces to prepare to “face all threats”.

His interior ministry announced a “state of maximum alert” and powerful armed groups from Libya’s western city of Misrata said they were ready to halt Haftar’s advance.

A convoy of vehicles from Haftar’s forces on Thursday pushed towards the city of Gharyan, some 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Tripoli, witnesses and military sources said.

Commander Abdessalem Al-Hassi told AFP Thursday that his forces had entered into the city without a fight.

But at least four sources in the city denied this, and a Gharyan official said there were “ongoing efforts to avoid a confrontation” between rival fighters who divide the city.

– Risk of ‘chaos’ –

Haftar has repeatedly expressed his intention to march on Tripoli.

His forces in January launched an offensive from his eastern strongholds into oil-rich southern Libya, ostensibly aimed at wiping out “terrorists” and criminal groups.

The latest rise in tensions came as United Nations chief Guterres visited Tripoli ahead of a planned conference later this month to hammer out a roadmap for delayed parliamentary and presidential elections.

“I am deeply concerned by the military movement taking place in Libya and the risk of confrontation,” Guterres tweeted.

The United States and its allies issued a joint statement urging “all parties to immediately de-escalate tensions”.

“Our governments oppose any military action in Libya and will hold accountable any Libyan faction that precipitates further civil conflict,” said the US, France, Britain, Italy and the United Arab Emirates.

“At this sensitive moment in Libya’s transition, military posturing and threats of unilateral action only risk propelling Libya back toward chaos.”

The European Union warned that the “military buildup underway in Libya and the escalatory rhetoric… seriously risks leading to an uncontrollable confrontation”.

Russia, which has courted Haftar, meanwhile called for a solution to Libya’s problems through “political-diplomatic” means.

– Tripoli battle ‘possible’ –

Rival Libyan leaders had agreed in Paris last year to hold elections before the end of the year, but that vote never materialised as Haftar’s forces and the Tripoli government grappled for power.

The UN said Haftar and Sarraj agreed at a meeting in Abu Dhabi last month to make a new attempt to organise the elections.

Libyan analyst Emad Badi said factions in western Libya were angling for a joint front against the strongman, but “whatever the result … Haftar will benefit from it militarily or politically”.

“His progress can enhance his position in the negotiations” if the UN-backed conference set for this month goes ahead, Badi added.

Jalel Harchaoui, a researcher at the Clingendael Institute in The Hague, said that “taking Tripoli is certainly not an easy or risk-free task, but it’s still a possibility.”

“The risk of conflagration has increased,” he said.

Share article
Tags: TripoliKhalifa HaftarTroopsLibya
Previous Post

Boeing says will take ‘any and all’ needed safety steps after Ethiopia crash

Next Post

US revokes visa of the ICC prosecutor

Related Posts

Rwandan genocide suspect Fulgence Kayishema appears in the Cape Town Magistrates Court, in Cape Town, South Africa May 26, 2023.

Case of alleged Rwandan genocide postponed again in Cape Town

9 June 2023, 4:20 PM
A man walks while smoke rises above buildings after aerial bombardment, during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan, May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/File Photo

‘Sudan sides agree to 24-hour ceasefire from Saturday’

9 June 2023, 3:03 PM
Burnt-out buses which belong to a partly state-funded "Dem Dikk" company, that provides intercity, national and regional bus services, are seen following violent protests after Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to prison, in Keur Massar neighborhood, Dakar, Senegal, June 7, 2023.

From restaurants to water towers, unrest dents Senegal’s economy

9 June 2023, 11:44 AM
ZEP holders seen queuing

Chitando pushes for permanent residency for ZEP holders

9 June 2023, 6:26 AM
A convoy of trucks from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) deliver lifesaving medical supplies are seen on the road to Mekelle, in Tigray region, Ethiopia November 15, 2022.

US suspends food aid to Ethiopia, saying it’s not reaching needy

8 June 2023, 2:44 PM
President Cyril Ramaphosa with  President Vladimir Putin of Russia

Ramaphosa engages Putin on African peace initiative: Presidency

8 June 2023, 10:42 AM
Next Post
Prosecutor to the International Criminal Court Fatou Bensouda.

US revokes visa of the ICC prosecutor

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • [Editorial Update] Unisa suspends registrar for various breaches of policy
  • Orlando Pirates player Thembinkosi Lorch found guilty of assault
  • Slain teen Palesa Malatji’s family calls for death sentence to be reinstated
  • Decision on Zimbabwean Exemption Permits causing confusion: TASA
  • Female student stabbed to death at NMU residence
  • Dr Nandipha’s looks during court appearances under the spotlight
  • Deadline for Zimbabwean Exemption Permits draws near
  • Reserve Bank expected to increase repo rate on Thursday
  • Zimbabwe receives 18 helicopters from Russian Federation
  • Eastern Cape ActionSA raises eyebrows over qualifications of senior officials
  • Decision on Zimbabwean Exemption Permits causing confusion: TASA
  • Mabuyane amends court application to interdict SIU from continuing investigation
  • South Africa needs to create new cities to address overpopulation: Kubayi
  • Chitando pushes for permanent residency for ZEP holders
  • Marlene van Staden was a dedicated servant of the people: Steenhuisen

LATEST

Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane
  • Politics

S194 Inquiry changes course, wants evidence in writing


A customer arrives at the Post Office in Pimville, Soweto.
  • South Africa

Government says it will fight to ensure the survival of the Post Office


he Netball World Cup Trophy Tour has got underway at the Cradle of Humankind, northwest of Johannesburg
  • Sport

Netball World Cup trophy tour goes to Free State


Tshwane's new mayor, Cilliers Brink (Right).
  • Cholera outbreak
  • South Africa

‘Competent people to be recruited to resolve challenge in Hammanskraal’


A tap with running water.
  • South Africa

Constrained Rand Water’s system leaves some Joburg reservoirs, water towers empty


DA KZN Leadership at the Greenwood Park Hall where they are visiting flood victims placed at this hall following the April floods to ascertain the living conditions and government intervention.
  • South Africa

KZN flood victims complain about lack of privacy at emergency shelters


Weather

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

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous Boeing says will take ‘any and all’ needed safety steps after Ethiopia crash
Next Prosecutor to the International Criminal Court Fatou Bensouda. US revokes visa of the ICC prosecutor