Libya’s Tripoli gov’t foils attack by pro-Haftar forces

TRIPOLI

Libya’s UN-backed government on Friday announced it had foiled an attack on capital Tripoli by forces loyal to military commander Khalifa Haftar.

According to an official statement, the failed attack had targeted Tripoli’s Abuscabh and Al-Hira districts.

A local security source told Anadolu Agency earlier that government forces had retaken a strategic checkpoint near Tripoli shortly after it had been captured by forces loyal to Haftar.

“Government forces have retaken Security Gate 27 [west of the capital], where they managed to capture a number of pro-Haftar military personnel,” the source said, speaking anonymously due to the issue’s sensitivity.

Shortly afterward, a high-level pro-Haftar source, also speaking anonymously, confirmed to Anadolu Agency that as many as 30 soldiers had been captured on the capital’s outskirts.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, has arrived in Libya’s eastern city of Tobruk, where he is currently holding talks with Haftar, according to local media reports.

TRIPOLI

Libya’s UN-backed government on Friday announced it had foiled an attack on capital Tripoli by forces loyal to military commander Khalifa Haftar.

According to an official statement, the failed attack had targeted Tripoli’s Abuscabh and Al-Hira districts.

A local security source told Anadolu Agency earlier that government forces had retaken a strategic checkpoint near Tripoli shortly after it had been captured by forces loyal to Haftar.

Shortly afterward, a high-level pro-Haftar source, also speaking anonymously, confirmed to Anadolu Agency that as many as 30 soldiers had been captured on the capital’s outskirts.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, has arrived in Libya’s eastern city of Tobruk, where he is currently holding talks with Haftar, according to local media reports.