The Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar is now in control of border areas with Algeria, Chad and Niger as part of its operation to clear southern Libyan territories from terrorists and criminals, the LNA announced on Friday.
Members of LNA's Tariq Bin Ziad battalion said their forces have gained full control of the joint border areas with Algeria, Chad and Niger after the escape of members of the Chadian opposition.
The LNA media office said the army entered the area of Umm al-Araneb amid a huge welcome by the area’s residents.
LNA’s major gains this week came after weeks of advances as part of a campaign to secure the country’s lawless south.
Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte thanked the United Arab Emirates after the head of Libya’s Government of National Accord, Fayez al-Sarraj, and Haftar agreed in UN-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi to reform Libya's constitution and hold national elections.
“There can’t be any progress in Libya unless the two sides reach an agreement,” Conte said.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who met his Libyan counterpart Fathi Bashaga in Rome, also said that there should not be any interference on setting the date for the elections.
