Libyan PM hails response to violations of truce by rival government
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj on Wednesday lauded forces of the Government of National Accord (GNA) in an operation in the southwest against the violations of the truce by the rival Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar.
He said in a statement that the GNA forces "have carried out their missions effectively and competently" as part of the "Operation Peace Storm", which began on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister stressed that the operation in response to "continued violations of the truce that have resulted in civilian casualties, including children and women".
Mr. al-Sarraj, who is President of the Presidential Council of the GNA, explained that Operation Peace Storm is "a rehabilitation for victims of the ongoing violations of the truce", stressing that the forces GNA will "react strongly to any aggression against them".
Mr. al-Sarraj, in his capacity as Supreme Commander of the Libyan Armed Forces, added: "We are a legitimate civilian government that respects its obligations to the international community, but is committed before that to its people and has a duty to protect them, within the framework of the right to self-defence and within the limits of international law."
He pointed out that "the planned shelling of residential neighbourhoods in Tripoli did not stop during the truce and resulted in civilian casualties, including children and women".
Mr. al-Sarraj said these violations by the LNA show their indifference to the UN Security Council resolution, disregard for the decisions of the Berlin Conference, and disdain for the lives and safety of Libyans.
General Osama al-Joueili, head of the joint operations room of forces of the GNA, announced on Wednesday morning the takeover of the military airbase of al-Wattia, south-west Libya, occupied by the Haftar units.
The military operation dubbed Peace Storm, is aimed at silencing the sources of shelling against civilian neighbourhoods in Tripoli.
Meanwhile, LNA's forces said they had repelled a major attack on the al-Wattia airbase by GNA forces.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya has deplored violations of the humanitarian pause agreed by the belligerents, and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to promote the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Libya reported on Tuesday that it had its first case of coronavirus infection.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/BBA/MA 26March2020
