Several popular and civil parties in eastern Libya have declared that they entrust Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar to lead Libya.
They made their stance after he had urged them to task any figure they deem fit to run Libya in what is seen as a precursor to his toppling of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, headed by Fayez al-Sarraj.
Haftar had on Thursday reiterated his call on the Libyans to abandon the Skheirat agreement, signed between rival parties in Morocco in 2015, and overthrow the GNA presidential council, which he accused of committing crimes that “amount to high treason.”
The council has undermined the dignity of the people, relinquished the sovereignty of the state and destroyed its economy, he said in a televised address. It has also employed oil revenues in supporting militias and bringing in mercenaries.
It even boasts of the crimes the militias have committed in Sabratha and Surman, he added, in what was interpreted as a sign he will wage a counter-attack to recapture the two cities that were recently seized by the GNA.
“Sarraj’s joy will not last,” vowed Haftar.
Moreover, he called on the Libyans to task an authority to manage the country, urging them to pick a side qualified to lead Libya and pledging that the LNA will protect their choices.
“The LNA has defeated terrorism in Benghazi, Derna, the oil crescent region and central and southern Libya and it will continue its fight in Tripoli,” he declared.
