Militias in western Libya vow to stop Haftar’s forces as they advance to al-Aziziya
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Militias in western Libya vowed Friday to confront and stop the attempt by Khalifa Haftar’s forces to seize control of the capital, Tripoli, raising fears of renewed civil war in the oil-rich nation as the U.N. chief shuttled between the two sides, seeking to avert a major confrontation.
The escalation comes after forces of Haftar, who runs the self-styled Libya National Army that is based in the country’s east, pushed westward, bringing them closer to rival militias, which control Tripoli.
A confrontation between Haftar’s army and the militias would put at risk upcoming peace talks between Libyan rivals brokered by the U.N. and aimed at drawing a roadmap for new elections. Those talks are due April 14-16.
The U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency closed-door meeting on Friday afternoon at Britain’s request to discuss the unfolding developments.
Haftar ordered his forces to march on the capital, saying in an audio recording posted online: “We are coming Tripoli, we are coming.” He also urged his forces to enter the city peacefully and only raise their weapons “in the face of those who seek injustice and prefer confrontation and fighting.”
Haftar’s spokesman Ahmed al-Mesmari said later the army’s next stop would be the town of al-Aziziya, considered the gates of Tripoli.
In response, the militias from the western cities of Zawiya and Misurata, which control Tripoli, posted on social media early Friday that they’re mobilizing to confront Haftar. Another militia, known as the Joint Tripoli Protection Force based in the area around the Libyan capital, announced it would also deploy to repel Haftar’s offensive.
On Friday, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres arrived in eastern Libya, which is the seat of a rival administration and parliament that Haftar is aligned with.
Guterres met with Agila Saleh, the head of the east-based parliament, and is due to meet Haftar before leaving Libya.
