The head of Libya’s U.N.-recognized authorities mentioned he will not resume negotiations with putschist Gen. Khalifa Haftar, accusing him of exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to launch a brand new offensive in opposition to the federal government.
In an interview with Italian day by day La Repubblica printed on Wednesday, Fayez al-Sarraj accused Haftar of having bombed “indiscriminately Tripoli, residential zones, civil establishments and even the general public hospital of Al Khadra, within the middle of the capital.”
“I’ll by no means sit down with Haftar after the disasters and the crimes he dedicated in opposition to all Libyans,” Sarraj instructed La Repubblica.
“We have at all times tried to unravel our disputes via a political course of, however any settlement has been quickly rejected by Haftar,” he added.
Since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of energy have emerged in Libya: Haftar in japanese Libya, supported by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, and the Government of National Accord in Tripoli, which enjoys the U.N. and worldwide recognition.
“We had agreed to the cease-fire and the humanitarian truce, with out letting our guard down,” Sarraj instructed La Repubblica. “We anticipated that the hazards of the epidemic would have turned Haftar into a person of his phrase, for as soon as. But he noticed within the pandemic a possibility to assault us,” he added.
Sarraj added that since April 2019 his facet has launched a profitable counter-offensive and has gained floor, as much as the current seize of town of Sabratha, a key army base for Haftar’s military.
“After one yr … we’re stronger, and we’re transferring towards our unmovable purpose, that of rejecting the aggression,” he mentioned.
When requested if the assist of Turkey and Qatar has been determinant for Tripoli’s protection, Sarraj careworn that his authorities reacted to the offensive alone “with no exterior assist for seven months.”
He added that the safety settlement with Turkey was signed on Nov. 27, 2019, whereas the assault had been launched on April 4, 2019.
Sarraj mentioned after signing the memorandum of understanding with Turkey, “We obtain consultants, advisers and assist for our program of safety and army protection.”
