Forces of Libya National Army enter southwestern city of Ghat

Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Forces of Libya National Army (LNA) entered the city of Ghat in the south-west of the country on Thursday, the fourth city since the beginning of its military operation launched in the south to expel terrorist groups, criminal gangs and smugglers, LNA has announced.

"The inhabitants of the city welcomed warmly and positively the soldiers," said the operations room of LNA, as it announced the entry of the troops to the region of Awainat in the west.

The general command of the LNA announced that in mid-January, it launched a military operation in the south aimed at protecting and securing the inhabitants of the south-west zones against terrorists, whether they were from the  Al Qaeda terrorist organisation, Daech or criminal gangs, who are perpetrators of the most deadly crimes: murder, abduction, extortion, trafficking and with foreign countries.

According to the LNA, led by Marshal Khalifa Hafter, the presence of the terrorists has provoked a major demographic change that threatens the Libyan identity and preservation of unity and integrity of the country.

-0- PANA BY/TBM/SOC/BBA/MA 1 March2019