[ad_1]
Copyright of the image
Getty Images
The Libyan government backed by the UN announced that it had launched a counter-offensive against the forces of General Khalifa Haftar.
Violent fighting erupted south of Tripoli after the Libyan government, backed by the UN, announced a counter-offensive against insurgent forces.
She intervenes after days of limited progress on both sides, during clashes that took the lives of 220 people.
Soldiers loyal to General Khalifa Haftar launched an attack earlier this month with the aim of taking Tripoli.
Prime Minister Fayez al-Serra condemned the "silence" of his international allies in the midst of the fighting.
- Who is the strong military man Khalifa Haftar?
- Why is Libya so anarchic?
The details of the progress made by both parties were not immediately clear.
Mr. Serra's National Accord Government announced that it had conducted seven air strikes in areas controlled by the Libyan National Army (ANL) of General Haftar.
The group is advancing on the city in several ways and claims to have taken the Tripoli International Airport.
The UN-backed government said it had launched a counter-offensive against General Haftar's forces.
Copyright of the image
Getty Images
Soldiers loyal to the Tripoli government defend the capital since the badault of General Haftar on April 4
General Haftar, a former army officer, was appointed head of the LNA in 2015 under a previously-internationally recognized Tobruk-based government.
It enjoys support from Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
The White House said President Trump had spoken to General Haftar, suggesting that the United States could also support a new government under his command.
Copyright of the image
AFP
Gen Haftar fights to overthrow UN-backed government
The United States and Russia refused to support a United Nations Security Council resolution drafted by the United Kingdom calling for a ceasefire.
A spokesman for the LNA told the AFP news agency: "We won the political battle and convinced the world that the armed forces are fighting terrorism."
General Haftar has the support of several foreign powers, who see him as a potentially stabilizing force in the post-revolution chaos of Libya, reports BBC Arab Affairs editor Sebastian Usher.
Some Libyans have the same feeling, but others see him as another warlord who wants to gain power by force, our publisher.
Libya has been torn apart by violence and political instability since longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011.
Source link
