The Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, launched attacks against the Government of National Accord (GNA) targets in Ubari and Sabha cities, south of Libya.
It also announced taking control over the headquarters of the military region in Sabha and storming Ubari’s Tendi military camp.
GNA sources, however, announced thwarting the attack, stressing that LNA forces withdrew to the city’s outskirts.
The sudden developments might disrupt the course of the political process led by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSML).
Also, LNA's Karama Operations Room requested Saturday all its military units in the strategic city of Sirte to remain on high alert, in anticipation of any possible attack by the Turkish-backed GNA forces.
LNA spokesman Major General Ahmed al-Mismari urged citizens to report “any presence of Turkish militias, mercenaries and invaders.”
Commander of the West Sirte Liberation Operations Room Major General Ahmed Salem ordered that all officers and conscripts be banned from leaving for holidays, as well as preventing them from leaving their workplace until further notice.
Salem did not provide further details over the decision.
However, LNA military sources said the measures come after armed militias and Turkish forces were reportedly mobilizing in several GNA sites.
Meanwhile, Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya Stephanie Williams hosted on Friday a virtual meeting to inform the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum ( LPDF) participants of the results of the voting process that was held earlier to select a proposal for a selection mechanism for the unified executive authority.
The meeting was held following the conclusion of the two-day consultation process that took place on Dec.3-4, during which LPDF members cast votes to select one of the presented proposals.
Williams said 71 LPDF members participated in the process; one member was unable to participate for health-related reasons and three members abstained.
She pointed out that 39 LPDF members voted for the second proposal, 24 LPDF members voted for the third proposal, while eight 8 LPDF members voted for proposal number 10.
She also reaffirmed UNSMIL’s commitment to and respect for the decision of the LPDF members taken during the recent in-person meeting in Tunisia, according to which decisions should be reached on a consensual basis.
