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TRIPOLI (AFP) – The East Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar has urged his militants to « evict » the Turkish armed forces, which support the UN-recognized government, while talks drag on to end the longstanding war in to end the oil-rich nation.
« There will be no peace in the presence of a colonizer on our land, » said Haftar in a speech at the 69th. Anniversary of Libya’s independence on Thursday.
« We will therefore again take up arms to build our peace with our own hands. . . and as Turkey rejects peace and chooses to go to war, prepare to drive out the occupiers by faith, will and arms, « Haftar said.
Libya was plunged into chaos after a 2011 NATO-backed uprising fell and longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi was killed.
The violence-ridden North African country has since been a battlefield for tribal militias, jihadists and mercenaries, and an important gateway for desperate migrants traveling to Europe.
Two rival camps are now vying for power, with Khaftar’s government in the east facing the Tripoli-based government of the National Agreement (GNA) recognized by the United Nations and supported by Ankara.
Turkey’s assistance with military advisors, material and mercenaries helped the GNA push Haftar’s forces back from the gates of Tripoli earlier this year.
Haftar, supported by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Russia, spoke after Ankara Parliament approved a motion this week to extend the deployment of soldiers in Libya by 18 months.
« Officers and soldiers, get ready, » said Haftar on Thursday, calling hundreds of soldiers to parade in a military barracks in the eastern port city of Benghazi.
At the same time, the GNA chief in Tripoli, Fayez al-Sarraj, urged the Libyans to « turn the page on disagreement in order to achieve stability ». .
A ceasefire, signed under the auspices of the United Nations in October and widely respected, has allowed rival parties to return to the negotiating table.
Sarraj said that for the 24th. Elections planned for December 2021 are « a historic opportunity not to be missed ». .
« The ceasefire agreement of 23. October silenced the guns, but otherwise it’s a dead letter: Both sides have not met their terms and are instead continuing to expand their armed forces, « said the International Crisis Group (ICG).
« Neither side appears to be interested in carrying out their commitments, and both seem determined to keep doing so. « »
Libya, Turkey, National Accord Government, Khalifa Haftar, Turkish Armed Forces, Tripoli
World News – CA – Libya’s Eastern Strongman Calls For Troops To « Drive Out » Turkish Armed Forces
Ref: https://dunyanews.tv