Libya Showdown Looms as Haftar Orders Advance on Tripoli
- Prime minister in capital deploys troops as Haftar moves west
- Tensions come ahead of planned April 14 UN peace conference
Forces loyal to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar patrol in the southern Libyan city of Sebha, on Feb. 9, 2019.
Photographer: -/AFPThis article is for subscribers only.
Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar ordered his forces on Thursday to advance on the capital, threatening a major escalation in violence that could reshape the country’s political map and upend plans for a negotiated settlement to its conflict.
“We hear your call, Tripoli,” the commander told his self-styled Libyan National Army, according to recording of a speech he gave to troops. “It is now the time for the great victory. March forward.” Haftar, whose stronghold is in Libya’s east, urged fighters to show restraint and not fire at anyone who doesn’t raise a weapon at them.