Libya’s United Nations-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) has called out some of its allies for help as rebel chief Khalifa Marshall and his forces have intensified their attack on the capital.
Fayez Al-Sarraj, the head of the Government of National Accord, has sent letters addressed to the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Algeria, and Turkey, urging the countries to activate the security cooperation agreements, reported Africa News.
Prime Minister Sarraj has made an appeal to the five countries to cooperate and coordinate with the GNA in the fight against terrorist organizations, including the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda.
The move followed the activation of GNA’s deal with Turkey that calls for providing military support to the war miffed Libya. The Tripoli-based government has also sent an invitation to the United States government seeking bilateral security agreements to help repel the offensive of Haftar on Tripoli.
Early April, forces loyal to Haftar launched a campaign to capture Tripoli from forces aligned with the GNA. Fighting has so far left thousands dead or injured, with more than 120,000 civilians displaced.
In the fight, Haftar is backed by France, Russia and key Arab countries, including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
Last week, Haftar declared that the final battle for Tripoli had begun, nearly eight months after he began his offensive to take the city. The announcement triggered a fresh bout of clashes around Tripoli.
On Friday, five soldiers from UN-backed government forces were killed in airstrikes launched by Libya’s eastern-based army in the city of Sirte. The airstrikes targeted sites where Turkish weapons and military equipment had been stored.
After the attack, the Libyan National Army called on militias fighting in Tripoli and Misrata to lay down their arms. It has given the militias defending Tripoli a three-day deadline to pull out.
