Libya’s internationally recognized Government of National Accord of Libya (GNA) on Friday said it has accepted a ceasefire offer by the United Nations with eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar on the eve of Eid al-Adha.
Earlier on Friday, the U.N. mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called on the Tripoli government and the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) to allow a ceasefire during the 4 days Eid holiday from Saturday, August 10 to Tuesday, August 13.
According to a statement released by the GNA, the temporary ceasefire in fighting would include ground battles as well as air attacks, citing humanitarian grounds for the move.
“A flight ban – of warplanes and reconnaissance aircraft- must be imposed in all airspace”, read the statement.
It further said that the UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL) will be responsible for monitoring any violations.
“The UN Support Mission in Libya should guarantee the implementation of the truce and monitor any violations,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, warlord Haftar has ordered his groups to stay on alert and prevented them from taking Eid Al-Adha holiday, reported The Libya Observer. In fact, as per sources, Haftar’s armed groups are preparing for a new round of land and air attacks on Tripoli from all southern front lines.
The Libyan government has been fighting the Libya National Army (LNA), led by Haftar for months. The fighting between the government and Haftar’s troops started in April when they launched a surprise attack on the capital, Tripoli.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 1,000 people have been killed and more than 5,700 others got injured in the fighting so far. It is estimated that the fighting has forced more than 120,000 people to flee their homes.
Libya has been facing escalating violence and political instability ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
