Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez Sarraj accused the Libyan National Army (LNA) commander, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, of violating political agreements concluded under the auspices of the United Nations.
“We have stretched out the hand of peace, but the aggression of Haftar’s forces and declaration of war against our cities and our capital, and therefore violation of political agreements by him, will only make us resolute and give us strength,” Sarraj said in a televised statement.
The situation in Libya escalated on Thursday as Haftar ordered an offensive to retake Tripoli from the GNA-backed forces. The LNA has already recaptured a number of settlements on its way to the capital, while Sarraj has ordered its troops to use force if necessary.