Libya: Haftar orders forces to advance West

All the forces which are loyal to the powerful General Khalifa Haftar, have been ordered by him to move towards the western parts of the country which is under control of a rival government backed by United Nations. The latest operation which is ordered by the General is being undertaken to cleanse the western part of the country from terrorist groups. In a statement issued to the government, Haftar has said that the military has assured its keenness to protect the safety of citizens and properties which belong to the Libyan state. The recent deployment will definitely alarm the government of Tripoli which has international recognition. In Tripoli, the government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj has been constantly negotiating a deal to share power with a parallel government which is in the east and is also allied with the General Haftar.

Haftar who is the Chief of the self-styled Libyan National Army has expanded his presence in the large parts of Libya. In fulfilling the orders of Haftar many units of the military were moved to the western region to fight against the terrorist organisations which are remaining in their last hideouts. The positioning of the Libyan National Army is seen as a display of strength and it is being done to intimidate their enemy which is hiding in the western parts of the country.

There is a UN Conference in this month in the southwestern part of the city of Ghadames for discussing a political solution and preparing the country for a long-delayed election and hence completely avoiding a military involvement. It is assumed that Haftar wants to reach Tripoli before the Conference so that he can establish himself as the de-facto leader in the western area. It has been since 2011 that Libya has been into turmoil ever since its autocratic ruler Muammar Gaddafi was removed from power by the NATO-backed forces. There are two rival administrations governing in the oil-rich country. One is based in Tripoli and the other one is based in the eastern city of Tobruk which is allied with Haftar.