Libya: Tripoli Government launches arrest warrant against Marshal Khalifa Haftar

The Military Attorney General of The Government of Libyan National Union (GNA) on Thursday issued an international arrest warrant against Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who launched an offensive against the capital, according to the mandate issued by the official press office.

The prosecutor ordered the arrest of Haftar and six of his officers, accused of air strikes against civilian facilities and neighborhoods. The arrest warrant is the response to the warrant issued on April 11 by the Libyan National Army (ANL) of Haftar against the leader of the GNA, Fayez Al Sarrajand other officials of his government.

In this context, the United Nations emissary, Ghbadan Salamé said Thursday that in Libya there was a risk of "widespread fire", "encouraged" by international divisions.

Salame also said that "after the first successes of the Libyan national army (ENL, Marshal Khalifa Haftar) Two weeks ago, we observed a military stalemate. "

International divisions on the path to follow in Libya have "encouraged" the LNE, rival of the Tripoli government, to launch his offensive, added the official.

In the interview with AFP in Tripoli, Salamé also estimated that the offensive launched on April 4 by the ENL against the capital, headquarters of the GNA, recognized by the international community, led to a "military stalemate".

At the request of the German Presidency, UN Security Council holds new closed-door meeting Thursday to discuss "the way forward" in LibyaAfter a draft resolution tabled by the United Kingdom calling for a ceasefire, it was not possible to reach the necessary consensus, diplomats said.

Since the fall of the dictator's regime in 2011 Muammar Gaddafi After a popular uprising, Libya is plunged into chaos with many militias imposing their law and a power struggle between the Fayez al-Sarraj's GNA in Tripoli and Haftar's ENF, the leader of eastern Libya.

The resumption of hostilities between the parties may to plunge the country into a civil war. For several months, the ENLAlthough it announces progress, it does not impose itself south of the capital and the front lines are located between 12 and 50 km east of Tripoli.

There is "a possibility of widespread conflagration"said Salame. The countries of the Security Council "must be much more active and closer to contain a widespread conflagration," he warned.