On Saturday, supporters of the People’s Congress of Bani Walid prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Great Revolution of September.
LNA Consolidates Presence Near Tripoli
The Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar has consolidated its presence in the capital’s suburbs as fighting with the forces loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) subsided, military sources said.
The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that LNA upped its military presence outside Tripoli and launched a large scale surveillance operation to thwart a possible terrorist attack in the oil crescent region.
The sources said that the National Army is also gearing up for a military operation to clear the southern city of Murzuq from “terrorist and criminal groups,” mainly those backed by the Chadian opposition.
GNA’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Sayala slammed the LNA for carrying out an “armed aggression” on Tripoli on the excuse of combating terrorism.
He told the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) that his government has practiced its “legitimate right” in defending the capital and its residents.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said this week that he fears Libya will end up in a “full civil war” unless moves are soon made to end the conflict.
In a report, he acknowledged the need for the support of the international community in finding a political solution for the country.
“I urge all parties to stop using explosive weapons, including by aerial bombardment or shelling, in populated areas because of their likely indiscriminate effects,” the secretary general wrote.
“I am concerned by the presence of foreign fighters and mercenaries being employed by parties to the conflict in Libya as well as by the influx of weapons to the country,” he said.
We stand ready to confront al-Sarraj militias in case they think of attacking Tarhouna
The Address | Benghazi – Libya
The Chairman of the Council of Tarhuna Sheikh and tribal leader, Saleh Fandi, confirmed the “readiness of all members of the tribes of Tarhuna to repel any possible attack by the militias of the Fayez al-Sarraj government.”
This came in response to a statement by Mustafa Almjai, spokesman for al-Sarraj forces over the attack on the city of Tarhouna.
Sheikh Saleh Fandi explained that the Libyan National Army units are stationed in their advanced positions near Tripoli, while Tarhouna youth are waiting for orders from the military operations room to defend their city.
Air strikes on militia positions in Gharyan by LNA
The Address | Benghazi – Libya
GHARYAN – The Libyan National Army (LNA) air force targeted Saturday morning the positions of the militia of Gharyan Protection Force, which is supported by the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), consisting of the Benghazi Shura terrorist group, the Al-Qaeda affiliate of Abu Obeida Al-Zawi and a number of Chadian mercenaries brought by the militia commander Gouili of GNA, said the media center of al-Karama Operations Room of LNA.
The media center confirmed that two militiamen were killed, four others were wounded and a number of their vehicles were destroyed.
LNA advances in Ain Zara amid fierce clashes
The Address | Benghazi – Libya
The Libyan National Army said they made progress in the Ain Zara front on the outskirts of Tripoli, after violent clashes with militia groups allied with the Fayez al-Sarraj government.
A Libyan military source told The Libyan Address Journal violent clashes erupted between the militias and the LNA yesterday, as part of the advances made by the LNA to enter Tripoli center.
The source also said that the LNA Air Force carried out raids in the areas of Wadi al-Rabie and Ain Zara against positions of the extremist militias south of Tripoli.
Sebha Airport announces the start of flights after its opening
The Address | Benghazi – Libya
Sebha International Airport received its first plane of the Libyan Airlines flight coming from Benina Airport in Benghazi with 160 passengers on board.
Sebha Airport media office pointed out also to the arrival and departure of a Petro Air flight with 75 passengers. It added this represents the regularity of flights to and from the airport on a daily basis with various airports in Libya in Cyrenaica and Fezzan.
The opening of Sebha Airport comes after it has been suspended since 2014, before the Libyan National Army secured southern Libya earlier this year as part of a major operation.
