LNA Says ‘Relocating’ Forces Out of Libyan Capital

Arab World

June 5th, 5:39am

Cairo - Khalid Mahmoud

Fighters loyal to the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) celebrate together in the Qasr bin Ghashir district south of the Libyan capital Tripoli on June 4, 2020, after the area was taken over by pro-GNA forces. (Photo by Mahmud TURKIA / AFP)

The Libyan National Army (LNA) has carried out a “tactical withdrawal” from the capital Tripoli, military sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. Thursday’s move was similar to LNA’s pullout from al-Watiya airbase, which was taken over by forces loyal to the Government of National Accord, the sources said. However, the GNA claimed full control of Tripoli. "Our heroic forces have full control of Greater Tripoli right up to the city limits," Mohamad Gnounou, spokesman for the GNA forces, said in a Facebook post. The announcement came after GNA troops retook Tripoli International Airport on Wednesday. Haftar's military command said it was “relocating” forces out of Tripoli in response to calls for the resumption of the UN-brokered political process, but that the battle for the capital “is not over.” The LNA was now withdrawing towards its northwestern stronghold of Tarhouna. The United States said Wednesday it was waiting to build an "empowered" UN mission for Libya, frustrating France and Germany which say the delay in approving an envoy is jeopardizing momentum to end the conflict. The position of UN envoy for Libya has been vacant for three months, even with calls intensifying for a return to negotiations. Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, Ghana's former foreign minister, was proposed for the role weeks ago by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres but has not been confirmed, with diplomats pointing to US opposition.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2318466/lna-says-%E2%80%98relocating%E2%80%99-forces-out-libyan-capital