Al-Sarraj denounces power seekers for ongoing violence in Libya
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The ongoing fighting in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, is not between the people of the east and those of the west, but between those who try to control the country by force and those who defend the civil state, Libyan Presidential Council Chaiman Fayez Al-Sarraj said on Tuesday.
"Our speech today should have been devoted to the prospects for peace offered by the inclusive national forum, but unfortunately we meet in a war atmosphere and in the grief of those we have lost among young people and the destruction suffered by our capital", Mr. Al-Sarraj said at a meeting with the Council of Elders, Shura and the coastal region dignitaries and Djebal Gharbi in Libya, the press office of the Presidential Council reported.
The United Nations efforts to resolve the Libyan crisis have been complicated since the launch of a military operation on Tripoli by the Libyan National Army (LNA), 12 days ago.
Violence erupted before the holding of the inclusive national conference, which was scheduled for 14-16 April, to find a consensus among Libyans on a timetable for general elections and ending the transition in the country.
"The attack on Tripoli dashed the hopes of Libyans and plunged the country into a cycle of destructive violence and war in which many lives have been lost, public and private property destroyed and more lives of civilians are endangered. This war, unfortunately, unfolds between the Libyans and the country is the loser," Mr. Al-Sarraj regretted.
Since the launch of the offensive by the LNA on 4 April, at least 174 people have died and 784 have been wounded, besides more than 18,000 who are displaced.
-0- PANA BY/BEH/BBA/AR 17Apr2019
