Forces loyal to Libyan military commander Khalifa Hifter said Monday their offensive to retake the eastern city of Derna from Islamists is in its final stages after victories in several districts. Hifter's self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) advanced in the district of Sheiha over the weekend. “There are still pockets of resistance,” LNA spokesman Gen. Ahmed al-Mesmari said as clashes continued on Monday. Hifter, who is allied with Libya’s eastern-based government, launched a military offensive earlier this month to “liberate” Derna, the last major bastion of opposition to the LNA in eastern Libya.
Separately, Libya’s UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj met on Monday with Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui in Tripoli. The two officials discussed ways to promote dialogue between Libya’s rival factions in order to reach a political solution. Read More
Libyan military commander Khalifa Hifter said on Monday his forces will soon declare victory in the eastern city of Derna, the last major bastion of opposition to his self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) in the area. Hifter, who is allied with Libya’s eastern-based government, launched a military offensive earlier this month to “liberate” the city of Derna from Islamists who have occupied it since the 2011 uprising against Moammar Gadhafi. In a video published on YouTube, Hifter said his forces are ready to enter the city and take control after clearing its suburbs. A spokesman for the LNA said today that Hifter’s forces have managed to capture 75% of the city. Read More