Libya’s internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) has rejected a truce unilaterally declared by renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The GNA said in a statement on Thursday that it did not trust Haftar’s self-styled militia, which launched an offensive on the capital, Tripoli, in April last year.
“We confirm our fixed position that we will continue with our legitimate self-defence and strike the source of threat wherever it is”, the GNA said.
Last week, the United Nations, the European Union and several countries called for a humanitarian truce during Ramadan and so authorities could focus on dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
When the country’s longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in 2011, Libya was divided in two rival governments. The LNA is backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia. The GNA is supported by Turkey and allied Syrian fighters.
Earlier this month, the GNA has captured several towns that were controlled by the LNA. According to the UN, hundreds of people have been killed and more than 200,000 displaced since Haftar’s offensive began.
