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On April 30th, the Government of National Accord (GNA) rejected the unilaterally declared Ramadan truce, which Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar announced for Libya.
The Tripoli-based GNA said in a statement that it did not trust Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA).
“We confirm our fixed position that we will continue with our legitimate self-defence and strike the source of threat wherever it is,” the statement said.
Fayez al-#Sarraj rejected the humanitarian #Ramadan #truce declared by #LNA, and said it would continue fighting. #UNSMIL and the international community had urged both parties to hold a ceasefire due to Ramadan and coranvirus pandemic fears. #Libyahttps://t.co/r9WqcjWLap
— صحيفة المرصد الليبية (@ObservatoryLY) April 30, 2020
LNA spokesperson Brigadier General Ahmed al-Mesmari said that the ceasefire came at the request of the international community and “friendly countries”.
Al-Mesmari warned violations by the GNA would be met with an “immediate and harsh response.”
In the previous week, the UN, European Union and several countries called Libya’s warring sides to lay down their arms during Ramadan.
The announcement following a statement by Haftar, who on April 27th made a televised address in which he proclaimed that the military would take control of the whole country, since popular mandate dictated so.
LNA-related networks also said that the House of Representatives, based in Tobruk would remain the legislative body, until elections are held, since it was democratically elected.
To those whom ask about the position of the democratically elected parliament in the upcoming stage after the disowning of the political agreement.
The parliament preexisted the expired agreement and will remain the soul legislative body in #libya until general elections are held pic.twitter.com/6uTO4C1G2W— M.LNA (@LNA2019M) April 29, 2020
Other tribal leaders also accepted Haftar’s announcement.
Statement of the Al-Obidat Tribes of Cyrenaica as they Clarify it by authorizing the military establishment, led by Field Marshal #Hafter To lead the country against the #Turksih invasion of #Libya and disown the political agreement and the expired #GNApic.twitter.com/99OHYUpeVj
— M.LNA (@LNA2019M) April 30, 2020
The House of Representatives itself, in the face of its speaker said that they support Haftar entirely.
Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, Aqeela Saleh said that there were no misunderstandings between Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and himself.
Saleh explained that his initiative for a political solution in Libya is based on Libyan and social norms, noting that Libya is linked to the international community and is not isolated from it.
He pointed out that this initiative aims to solve the Libyan crisis politically, and based on historical backgrounds, noting that the post-independence period of Libya witnessed the formation of the Constitution Committee by twenty representatives from each of the three regions of Libya, and that the Senate in that period was composed of An equal number of members representing the three regions of Libya.
Saleh stressed that the Libyan society is coherent, denying what he described as rumors that were reported about his threat or pressure on him after announcing his political initiative, noting that these rumors aim to spread sedition only and that it will not be feasible, as he put it.
Meanwhile, on the ground, the LNA reportedly captured a major leader and field commander of #ISIS-Libyan branch by the name of Tariq Al-Barasi Al-Makani.
– #LNA captures a big major leader and a field commander of #ISIS-Libyan branch and he goes by the name of Tariq Al-Barasi Al-Makani in #Wadi_Rabeh war front in #Tripoli
– Tariq AlBarasi is responsible for the hundreds of assassinations of military officers in #Benghazi
— M.LNA (@LNA2019M) May 1, 2020
Others known terrorists were also killed in the clashes in and around Tripoli.
The famous #Terrorist Abdel Moneim El-Gahhawy, affiliated with Ansar Al-Sharia, was killed by the #LNA while fighting in the ranks of the multinational #GNA terrorists in #Tripoli.
He was one of those who attacked the US embassy in Benghazi in 2014.#BenghaziAintGoingAway pic.twitter.com/KUNepWMySP— M.LNA (@LNA2019M) April 30, 2020
Furthermore, additional regions announced that they were joining the fight against the GNA’s Turkish-led forces and to support Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
Senate and sheikhs of the municipality of Sidi Al-Sayeh, and the Nowahi AlArba south of #Tripoli , announce their full delegation of general command of the armed forces to lead the country against the #Turkish invasion. #حفتر#hafter#libya#Tripoli
— M.LNA (@LNA2019M) May 1, 2020
The UAE announced its support for a political solution in Libya and categorically rejected any Turkish military role in what transpires in the country.
عاجل | الإمارات تعرب عن رفضها القاطع للدور العسكري التركي الذي يعرقل فرص وقف إطلاق النار في ليبيا، ويجهض جهود المجتمع الدولي للتوصل إلى حل سياسي شامل هناك
— العين الإخبارية – عاجل (@AlainBRK) April 30, 2020
“The UAE affirms its adherence to the political solution in Libya and the need for an immediate and comprehensive cease-fire
UAE expresses its categorical rejection of the Turkish military role that impedes the chances of a ceasefire in Libya, and prejudices the efforts of the international community to reach a comprehensive political solution there”
On the side of the GNA, Turkish Bayraktar TB2 continue being the most active asset being used in the fight, with air strikes being carried out on a LNA convoy on April 30th.
مشاهد تعرض لأول مرة استهداف قافلة امدادات ذخائر كانت في طريقها لميليشيات حفتر الارهابية في #ترهونة وجنوب #طرابلس
نُفّذت الغارات على رتل شاحنات وسيارات نقل تحمل الذخائر بالقرب من النصب التذكاري – مرسيط في الطريق بين القريات ونسمة، ويوضح الفيديو انفجار الذخائر بعد استهدافها #ليبيا pic.twitter.com/YdSfM8dMPk— المركز الاعلامي لعملية بركان الغضب (@BurkanLy) April 30, 2020
The GNA also recaptured Al-Hawatim and Al-Jabayiliyah from the LNA.
GNA Forces have recaptured Al-Hawatim and Al-Jabayiliyah from Hafter Forces
— ثائر سوري (@VivaRevolt) April 29, 2020
Finally, the GNA announced that any vehicle on the road from Bani Walid to Tripoli, without proper permission, would be a legitimate target, regardless if its civilian or not.
GNA spokesman Gnugnu announces that any truck/car on the road from Bani Waleed without permission will be a legitimate target.
— Annabel Rubio❤??❤? (@RubioAnnabel) April 29, 2020
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
- In Photos: Libyan National Army Used Export Version Of Russian Krasnopol Artillery System To Shell Mitiga Airport
- Pro-GNA Sources Release Video Supposedly Showing Turkish Drone Strikes On Libyan National Army
- Russians In Libya More Dangerous Than ISIS: Washington Examiner Report
- Khalifa Haftar Announces Shkeirat Agreements Are Dead, Military Will Govern The Country
The GNA not respecting Ramadan sounds about right. The puppet gov’t ain’t true muslims anyway. They take their orders from abroad, from non muslims, who profess to be christian. But truly, we don’t know what they are.
‘The GNA announced that any vehicle on the road from Bani Walid to Tripoli, without proper permission, would be a legitimate target, regardless if its civilian or not.’
So the GNA will even attack their own civilian population. That doesn’t sound like an admin that will last.