Libyan FM calls Haftar's threats on civilian flights 'war crime'
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) -Libyan Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Government of National Accord (GNA), has said that the threats by General Command spokesperson, Maj-Gen. Ahmed Al-Mesmari to bomb civilian flights are a war crime and a big violation of international conventions and standards and international humanitarian law.
In a letter to the UN Security Council on Thursday and published on Friday on the ministry's website, Mr. Mohamed Taher Siala stated: "We are placing the international community face to face with its responsibilities in the event of an attack on civil aviation 'by the forces of the general command', emphasizing "the principle of non-impunity for all those who endanger aviation and civil airports".
The minister explained that the Presidential Council of the GNA "reminds everyone of their responsibilities to protect civil installations and the Berlin process to work for the stabilization and development of the truce".
Libyan National Army spokesman, Maj-Gen. Ahmed Al-Mesmari, announced the "complete" reactivation of the no-fly zone over Tripoli, stressing that the exclusion zone starts from the bottom from Ghariane (80 km south-east of Tripoli) to the south-east of Tarhouna, passing by the sea, which includes Maitigua Airport.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Al-Mesmari said: "Any civilian or military aircraft taking off from Maitigua Airport will be targeted," adding that his statement is "the last warning."
Flights were suspended late Wednesday for the second consecutive time in less than 24 hours at Maitigua Airport.
-0- PANA BY/IS/KND/AR 24Jan2020
