Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) rejected a proposal by Government of National Accord chief Fayez al-Sarraj to establish military and security coordination between them to combat terrorism.
LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari stated that disputes with the GNA still stand due to Sarraj’s insistence on considering himself high commander of the Libyan army.
Haftar refuses to be affiliated to an illegitimate government, he said.
Sarraj had made an indirect proposal for military and security coordination with the LNA during the GNA’s commemoration of the eighth anniversary of Libya’s 2011 popular revolt that toppled the regime of longtime ruler Moammar al-Gaddafi.
The GNA said that it rejects the exploitation of the war on terrorism to advance political agendas.
There can be no military solution to the crisis, it stressed, while confirming its commitment to holding elections in the country.
“The overwhelming majority of the people want to hold elections and all sides must yield to the will of the people,” it declared.
Meanwhile, Mismari said that uniting the military institution in Libya according to Egyptian-sponsored negotiations will fail because of the lack of disciplined military forces that adhere to Tripoli.
The capital is instead controlled by militias, he noted.
Moreover, he stressed that the LNA will continue its mission to liberate the remaining cities of the South from the clutches of terrorist groups and Chadian gangs.
The LNA is seeking to secure Libya’s borders with neighboring countries of Niger, Algeria and Chad, he stated.
Marking the eighth anniversary of the revolt, the US embassy in Libya tweeted: “The United States reaffirms its commitment to stand with all Libyans who are working to achieve a more secure and prosperous future in Libya.”
British Ambassador to Libya Frank Baker tweeted that the Libyan people must unite on the occasion in order to achieve their country’s stability and prosperity.
