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Haftar's forces already control much of eastern and southern Libya, including the city of Sebha in the south of the country. By – (AFP)
The forces led by a controversial Libyan military leader on Thursday maneuvered to threaten an advance on Tripoli, as UN chief Antonio Guterres warned of a growing risk of violence.
Khalifa Haftar's self-proclaimed Libyan army announced on Wednesday that it was preparing to move to the west of the country, including the capital, which is home to a UN-backed unity government.
Spokesman Ahmed Mesmari said the preparations were nearing completion "to purge the west of terrorists and mercenaries".
His statement was followed by troop movements on the ground, local and military sources said, as a convoy of LNA vehicles approached the city of Gharyan, located a hundred kilometers away. from Tripoli.
Commander Abdessalem Al-Hbadi told AFP Thursday that his forces had entered the city without a fight.
But at least four sources in the city have denied this claim, and a local official said there were "ongoing efforts to avoid a clash" between rival fighters who divide the city.
Dozens of militias have fought for control of the country of North Africa since a NATO-backed uprising overthrew and killed longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Haftar's forces have become a key player, opposing the Tripoli government and supporting a parallel administration in the east.
The head of the unity government, Fayez al-Sarraj, condemned Haftar's "escalation" and said that he had ordered the loyalist forces to prepare to "face all threat".
Powerful armed groups from Misrata, in the west of the country, who support Sarraj, said they "were ready … to stop the damn advance."
Rising tensions came when United Nations President Guterres visited Tripoli in anticipation of a conference scheduled later this month to set a road map for the postponement. legislative and presidential elections.
"I am deeply concerned about the military movement in Libya and the risk of confrontation," Guterres tweeted on Twitter.
"There is no military solution" to the problems of Libya, he added.
& # 39; Uncontrollable Confrontation & # 39;
Haftar's forces launched another offensive in southern oil-rich Libya in January, apparently aimed at eliminating "terrorists" and criminal groups.
He repeated several times his intention to march on Tripoli.
The European Union warned that "the ongoing military reinforcement in Libya and the rhetoric of escalation … would seriously risk leading to an uncontrollable confrontation".
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met in Tripoli with the head of the Union Government, Fayez al-Sarraj, as fears of a clash grow up Prime Minister of the Union Government Libyan leader Fayez al-Sarraj (R) shakes hands with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at his office in Libya capital Tripoli on April 4, 2019 .. By – (AFP) The US Embbady has stated that it "strongly condemns the increase in violence in Libya and reiterates the UN's call to restraint".
The rival leaders agreed in Paris last year to hold elections before the end of the year, but this vote never materialized. of Haftar and the Tripoli government disputing power.
The UN said Haftar and Sarraj agreed at a meeting in Abu Dhabi last month to try again to hold the elections.
Libyan badyst Emad Badi said factions in western Libya were seeking a common front against the strong man, but "whatever the outcome … Haftar will benefit militarily or politically".
"His progress can strengthen his position in the negotiations" if the UN-supported conference this month continues, he added.
Jalel Harchaoui, a researcher at the Clingendael Institute in The Hague, said that "taking Tripoli is certainly not an easy task or risk-free, but remains a possibility".
"The risk of conflagration has increased," he said.
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