The Libyan National Army has launched a scathing attack on Qatar and Turkey, accusing them of supporting terrorist groups and seeking to redraw Libya’s demographic map.
LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mesmari said the army has evidence, documents and recordings of meetings that terrorist figures have held in Turkey and Qatar, in addition to Tunisia.
In a press conference he held in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on Wednesday, Mesmari said the army will go ahead with its plan to protect the country.
He reiterated that the LNA was committed to the results of the meeting held between rival factions in the French capital in May and pledged to provide security during the elections that the UN mission is seeking to hold by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs in Libya, United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Stephanie Williams visited the High National Election Commission and met Chairman Emad Al Sayeh to discuss security arrangements, reviewed preparations for elections in Libya and ongoing UN support, and the upcoming vote on a referendum law for the constitution.
Williams has also discussed with Chair of the Central Committee for Municipal Council Elections Salim Ben Tahia the forthcoming municipal polls in Libya, emphasized the importance of grassroots participation, and ensured “UN political and logistical support.”
Also Thursday, a spokesman for the The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) denied that the US has carried out an airstrike on the outskirts of the southwestern Libyan city of Ubari.
The spokesman told Asharq Al-Awsat that the US has not carried out a recent strike in Libya.
Local media reports and social media activists have said that at least six people were killed in the strike on a farm.
According to unofficial security sources, two Algerians, three Malians, and a Libyan, who is believed to be an al-Qaeda member, were among the dead.
