Rival Libya Govts Announce Ceasefire, Elections

Members of security forces are seen during a security deployment in Sirte, Libya August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori
Members of security forces are seen during a security deployment in Sirte, Libya August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori
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Rival Libya Govts Announce Ceasefire, Elections

Members of security forces are seen during a security deployment in Sirte, Libya August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori
Members of security forces are seen during a security deployment in Sirte, Libya August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

Libya's warring rival governments announced in separate statements Friday that they would cease all hostilities and organize nationwide elections soon, an understanding swiftly welcomed by the United Nations and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The statements were signed by Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the Government of National Accord based in the capital Tripoli, and Aguila Saleh, speaker of the eastern-based parliament.

Sarraj, who heads the Presidential Council, said parliamentary and presidential elections would be held in March.

Both statements called for demilitarizing the city of Sirte and the Jufra area in central Libya, and a joint police force to be responsible for security there.

Both administrations also called for oil revenues to flow into the bank account of the National Oil Corporation outside Libya.

The announcements came amid fears of an escalation in the more than 9-year-old conflict.

The UN Support Mission in Libya welcomed both statements, and called for the expulsion of all foreign forces and mercenaries in Libya.

Among the first to react to Friday’s announcement was al-Sisi, who welcomed the ceasefire declarations.

"I welcome statements by Libya's Presidential Council and the House of Representatives calling for a ceasefire and halting military operations in all Libyan territory," Sisi said in a tweet.



Israeli Military Destroys Hezbollah Rocket Launchers in Southern Lebanon

Seized military equipment and weapons are displayed for the media at Amiad military camp, northern Israel, 31 December 2024. According to the Israeli army, the equipment and weapons were uncovered throughout the ground operation in south Lebanon. (EPA)
Seized military equipment and weapons are displayed for the media at Amiad military camp, northern Israel, 31 December 2024. According to the Israeli army, the equipment and weapons were uncovered throughout the ground operation in south Lebanon. (EPA)
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Israeli Military Destroys Hezbollah Rocket Launchers in Southern Lebanon

Seized military equipment and weapons are displayed for the media at Amiad military camp, northern Israel, 31 December 2024. According to the Israeli army, the equipment and weapons were uncovered throughout the ground operation in south Lebanon. (EPA)
Seized military equipment and weapons are displayed for the media at Amiad military camp, northern Israel, 31 December 2024. According to the Israeli army, the equipment and weapons were uncovered throughout the ground operation in south Lebanon. (EPA)

The Israeli military said on Thursday that it had attacked and destroyed medium-range rocket launchers at a Hezbollah military site in southern Lebanon.

The military said in a statement that before the strike it had sent a request to Lebanon's army to destroy the launchers and that the launchers were only attacked after the Lebanese side failed to act.

The Lebanese army did not immediately respond to a request for comment.