One day after the exchange of aerial bombardment between forces of Marshal Khalifa Haftar-led National Army (LNA) and those loyal to Fayez al-Sarraj-led Government of National Accord, a relative lull in fighting took place after Russian and UN calls for dialogue.
Fighting has entered its third month in a row without interruption in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
The UN mission in Libya said that its head, Ghassan Salame, who is currently in Moscow, discussed with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov the latest developments in Libya.
It pointed out that the two sides “stressed the need to find a political solution to the Libyan crisis.”
The mission also explained that Salame briefed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the UN mission’s initiatives to end the fighting.
It quoted Lavrov as expressing his “full support for the UN Secretary General’s envoy to Libya and his emphasis on the need to stop the fighting and resume the political process.”
In terms of developments on ground, Sarraj government forces’-led “Volcano of Rage” operation said it has boosted its positions at the airport outskirts in Tripoli and has destroyed a tank and two vehicles armed with anti-aircraft 23.
It also pointed out in a statement that it seized three armed vehicles for the LNA forces.
On the other hand, it announced arresting 16 Egyptians inside the Libyan territorial waters, following a joint patrol with the Sirte protection and security forces, which has emanated from Al-Bunyan al-Marsous Operation of the Central Military Region.
It claimed that the presence of these Egyptians violated international law and Libyan sovereignty, confirming their extradition to the competent authorities to complete the legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, military sources in the LNA said they bombed on Wednesday through a series of airstrikes “sites of militias loyal to Sarraj government in areas south of Tripoli."
