Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Cairo – Khaled Mamhoud

Libyan National Army Urges Berlin Conference to Disarm Militias

A security member inspects the site of an overnight air strike in Tripoli, Libya October 14, 2019. (Reuters)

The Libyan National Army demanded that the upcoming Berlin conference prioritize the disarmament of militias loyal to the Government of National Accord, headed by Fayez al-Sarraj.

The LNA, led by Khalifa Haftar, hailed in a statement on Friday “every international effort aimed at achieving peace and stability, eliminating terrorism and dismantling militias, leading to the formation of a legitimate government that does not answer to gangs and militias and that represents all the Libyan people.”

It condemned the “rule of militias” in Tripoli, saying it has led to appointment of a figure sanctioned by the international community to a security and military post.

Sarraj recently appointed Salah Badi, head of the Misrata-based al-Somoud Brigade, as military intelligence chief.

The LNA added that any political effort to resolve the crisis would be pointless as long as security conditions on the ground are not available to guarantee its success. This demands the elimination of militias, which at every turn obstructed efforts to resolve crises.

The military operation the LNA has been waging against Tripoli since April is part of the global effort to combat terrorism. Libya is not exception to this battle, it stressed.

The UN-sponsored Berlin conference is set to be held later this year.

The Libyan National Army demanded that the upcoming Berlin conference prioritize the disarmament of militias loyal to the Government of National Accord, headed by Fayez al-Sarraj.

The LNA, led by Khalifa Haftar, hailed in a statement on Friday “every international effort aimed at achieving peace and stability, eliminating terrorism and dismantling militias, leading to the formation of a legitimate government that does not answer to gangs and militias and that represents all the Libyan people.”

It condemned the “rule of militias” in Tripoli, saying it has led to appointment of a figure sanctioned by the international community to a security and military post.

Sarraj recently appointed Salah Badi, head of the Misrata-based al-Somoud Brigade, as military intelligence chief.

The LNA added that any political effort to resolve the crisis would be pointless as long as security conditions on the ground are not available to guarantee its success. This demands the elimination of militias, which at every turn obstructed efforts to resolve crises.

The military operation the LNA has been waging against Tripoli since April is part of the global effort to combat terrorism. Libya is not exception to this battle, it stressed.

The UN-sponsored Berlin conference is set to be held later this year.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.