Tripoli Ceasefire on Verge of Collapse as Fighting Intensifies

Arab World

March 2nd, 7:43am

Cairo – Khaled Mahmoud

Libyans examine damage from fighting south of Tripoli. (Reuters)

Violations of the fragile United Nations ceasefire continued in Tripoli on Sunday, while the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced that its forces were advancing on several fronts against militias loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA). LNA sources said its forces succeeded in breaching GNA defenses on the al-Aziziyeh and al-Hira fronts near Tripoli. GNA media claimed heavy losses among LNA ranks in al-Aziziyeh Sources from both warring parties reported fighting with heavy weapons on the Ain Zara and al-Ramleh fronts south of Tripoli. GNA sources claimed that seven LNA members were detained in the fighting. The allegation was quickly refuted by a military source. It instead said 12 members of pro-GNA militias were killed in the fighting. The sounds of explosions were also heard near the Mitiga air base near the capital. Meanwhile, the interim government in eastern Libya announced it had signed memorandums of understanding with the Syrian regime on reopening diplomatic missions and coordinating stances at international arenas. A delegation from Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani’s interim government made a surprise visit to Damascus on Sunday. It was the first such trip since the overthrow of the regime of late Libyan leader Moammar al-Gaddafi in 2011. The delegation included Thani’s deputy, the ministers of foreign affairs and defense and intelligence chief. They met with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem and his deputy. They agreed that their defense ministries and intelligence agencies would exchange information about the thousands of pro-Turkey Syrian terrorists who were sent to Tripoli and the Libyan fugitives who had joined the al-Nusra Front and ISIS terror groups in Syria. The Thani government said the visit was part of political and security coordination efforts aimed at countering terrorism and the Turkish aggression against Libya and Syria. Turkey backs the GNA, and also backs Syrian opposition factions fighting against the regime. Turkey has recently sent thousands of its troops into the last opposition-held stronghold in Syria, and the past week has seen a major escalation in direct conflict between Syrian and Turkish forces, with dozens killed on both sides. Ankara has also sent Syrian mercenaries to Libya to support the GNA against an LNA offensive against Tripoli.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2158546/tripoli-ceasefire-verge-collapse-fighting-intensifies