Libyan National Army forces, commanded by Khalifa Haftar, have started setting up security checkpoints along the Sirte-Misrata coastal highway west of Sirte ahead of its official reopening.
The Sirte-Misrata highway connecting Libya’s east and west will be officially reopened according to an agreement set by the 5+5 Joint Military Committee that includes representatives of the east-based LNA and forces loyal to the transitional authority in the Tripoli.
Meanwhile, military officials in the Government of National Unity (GNU) confirmed that the government has withdrawn its forces five kilometers south of the highway.
Commander of the Sirte-Jufra Liberation Operations Room Brigadier General Ibrahim Bayt al-Mal told Andalou Agency on Thursday the move is in line with the agreement reached with the committee.
A spokesman said control of the road and security points was transferred to the GNU’s interior ministry.
However, he claimed the LNA forces were refusing to reopen the parts of the highway under their control.
Head of the GNU Abdulhamid Dbeibeh had recently announced the reopening of the highway.
The road had been closed since Haftar’s offensive against Tripoli and the former Government of National Accord (GNA) in 2019.
Dbeibeh was in London on Friday for talks with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
They discussed the GNU’s efforts to restore stability in Libya and prepare to hold free and transparent elections in December.
They also stressed the need for the withdrawal of mercenaries from the North African country and the unification of the military.
