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Libyan Army: 80 GNA Fighters Killed in Sirte Battles

Fighters loyal to the GNA pose for a group picture as they celebrate in the town of Tarhouna, about 65 kilometres southeast of the capital Tripoli on June 5, 2020. (Photo by Mahmud TURKIA / AFP)
Fighters loyal to the GNA pose for a group picture as they celebrate in the town of Tarhouna, about 65 kilometres southeast of the capital Tripoli on June 5, 2020. (Photo by Mahmud TURKIA / AFP)
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Libyan Army: 80 GNA Fighters Killed in Sirte Battles

Fighters loyal to the GNA pose for a group picture as they celebrate in the town of Tarhouna, about 65 kilometres southeast of the capital Tripoli on June 5, 2020. (Photo by Mahmud TURKIA / AFP)
Fighters loyal to the GNA pose for a group picture as they celebrate in the town of Tarhouna, about 65 kilometres southeast of the capital Tripoli on June 5, 2020. (Photo by Mahmud TURKIA / AFP)

The Libyan National Army’s media division declared that operations resumed Thursday through airstrikes that targeted sites of “militias and Turkish mercenaries” in As Saddadah, east of Misrata.

Brigadier-General Khalid al-Mahjoub said that more than 80 armed men fighting with the Government of National Accord (GNA) were killed in Sirte.

The fighters include Turkish soldiers, pro-Ankara mercenaries, and terrorist groups.

The Media Center of LNA’s Dignity Operations Room revealed that the strike resulted in casualties among “mercenaries and militants.”

Moreover, the LNA intensified airstrikes to foil the GNA’s efforts to move to the east and take over Sirte.

The Volcano of Rage Operation - launched by the GNA forces – revealed that it seized a major 350-km supply line linking the south to the west of Libya. This supply line was used for a year by the LNA during its attempts to liberate the capital Tripoli.

GNA’s Ministry of Interior accused the LNA of abducting a brigadier general from Sirte.

The ministry warned that it will not turn a blind eye to the kidnapping, calling on international and rights organizations and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to take action.

Despite the ongoing clashes between the GNA forces and the LNA in Misrata and Sirte, UNSMIL revealed that both parties’ delegations have engaged in the 3rd round of the Joint Military Commission (5 + 5) talks.

“While UNSMIL commends the seriousness and the commitment of both parties in the JMC dialogue track, it calls on them to de-escalate to avoid further civilian casualties and new waves of displacement,” it said.

The Mission is particularly concerned by reports of escalation and mobilization in and around Sirte.

Both meetings - which were conducted virtually - were productive and enabled UNSMIL to discuss with the delegations the latest developments on the ground and to receive their comments on the draft ceasefire agreement, as presented by the Mission to the parties on February 23.

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Aoun Wants Formation of ‘Consensual’ Lebanese Govt Representing All Components

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
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Aoun Wants Formation of ‘Consensual’ Lebanese Govt Representing All Components

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is advocating the formation of a government of “consensus” that includes representatives from all political factions.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam has requested that parliamentary blocs submit non-partisan nominees for ministerial positions, emphasizing that they must not belong to any political party.

Aoun stressed on Tuesday that all components of society have the right to be represented in the government, parliament and public administration, as this is already practiced in the army.

“We have significant opportunities that we hope to seize by uniting all elements of Lebanese society—civil, spiritual, and political. Together, we can rebuild our nation,” he declared.

Highlighting the importance of meeting international expectations, Aoun hoped for the rapid formation of a government to achieve political, economic, and security stability, which would allow citizens “to live with dignity, not merely in relative comfort.”

During meetings with professional delegations at the Presidential Palace, Aoun said: “We are at a crossroads. Either we take advantage of the current circumstances and rise above sectarian, religious, and political divisions, or we head in a different direction and bear full responsibility for failing to fulfill our duties.”

Negotiations between Aoun, Salam, and political factions over the formation of a government are ongoing. The discussions, which kicked off last week, have reportedly made progress, with efforts directed toward expediting the government formation process, issuing decrees, preparing a ministerial statement, and securing its vote of confidence from lawmakers.

While the Shiite duo of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement appear to have finalized their proposed nominees for the government, disagreements over the ministerial statement remain.

MP Waddah Sadek, who is backed by the opposition, firmly rejected the inclusion of the “Army, People, Resistance” term in the statement. He declared: “No ‘blocking third’ in the government, and no unconstitutional gimmicks. The slogan of the new phase in Lebanon should be: the ‘Army, People, and State.’”

The Kataeb Party echoed this stance, stressing that Lebanon, emerging from a devastating war between Hezbollah and Israel, must align with the Aoun’s inaugural speech and Salam’s remarks by ensuring the ministerial statement exclusively underscores the state’s monopoly over arms and the defense of the nation.

“The government must act decisively, dismantle militias, strictly enforce the ceasefire, and uphold its provisions across all Lebanese territory,” it demanded.

The Kataeb Party also urged Aoun and Salam to resist the “great extortion” by Hezbollah and Amal to secure specific ministries or positions, in violation of the inaugural speech, calling instead for the application of uniform standards to ensure the government’s success.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah adopted a more confrontational tone.

MP Hussein Hajj Hassan, a member of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, commented: “To those betting on Hezbollah’s weakness or the weakness of the Hezbollah-Amal alliance, what will you say when the government is formed? What will you say when you realize the strength of Hezbollah, the alliance, and the resistance’s supporters across all segments of Lebanese society? What will you say when you see the unwavering determination and unity of the resistance at every critical juncture?”