TRIPOLI
- the Libyan Army forces operating under the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) entered Tripoli International Airport and advanced on positions held by rival forces under the command of Khalifa Haftar. The spokesman for the media office of Burkan Al-Ghadab (Volcano of Rage) Operation Mustafa al-Majea said Saturday that their forces had advanced on Tripoli Airport from three fighting axes [Libyan Express, 23.06.2019];
- 80 days have passed since Khalifa Haftar has launched his offensive against Tripoli with remarkable struggling on his forces’ part to advance on or maintain positions in southern Tripoli, especially after their supply lines from Al-Jufra to Gharyan has been destroyed. The western zone forces under the Presidential Council’s command said earlier they had attacked a military convoy moving toward Al-Jufra, leaving many fighters killed or injured. Central zone forces said they had also controlled a supply line for Haftar’s forces after they had seized the road between Al-Jufra and western region so the supplies cannot reach Gharyan and Tarhouna. Meanwhile, heavy crashes have erupted on Tripoli Airport frontline today with Volcano of Rage Operation saying its forces have seized the main entrance gate, VIP lounge and other important areas of the airport [Libya Observer, 22.06.2019];
- the Libyan National army (LNA) forces took control of Al-Naqlia military camp and moved towards the center of Tripoli, according to the Libyan News Agency. LNA also confirmed that the armed formations allied with the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) suffered heavy losses of lives and equipment after 6-hour fight against LNA during the militias failed attack on Tripoli International Airport. The Red Crescent transported 40 bodies of armed formations, in addition to 15 others captured by LNA, the Libyan news agency reported [Address Libya, 20.06.2019];
- a source from Volcano of Rage operation has confirmed that the Libyan Army forces entered and controlled the majority of Tripoli International Airport after advancing on it from three fighting axes as part of an intensive offensive. The spokesman for the media office of Volcano of Rage Operation Mustafa al-Majea said their forces controlled Wednesday most parts of the airport and entered the VIP lounge [Libya Observer, 19.06.2019];
- armed clashes were renewed today between the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and the Islamist groups allied with the government of Fayez al-Sirraj in Tripoli.An LNA source said that the clashes centered on the axis of “Khallatat” and “Ain Zara” near the Al-Istraha al-Hamraa area.The source added that LNA still maintaining the positions they have achieved duringtheir advance the past two days. It is noteworthy that LNA warplanes intensified their air raids on sites in the vicinity of Tripoli [Address Libya, 18.06.2019].
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
- the Libyan Foreign Ministry initialed an agreement with Italy, on Wednesday, for the exchange of prisoners between the two countries. “After months of diplomatic work and coordination between the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice, the agreement was signed at the Ministry of Justice in Rome, between the Director of Relations and Cooperation Department of the Libyan Ministry of Justice, and Director of the International Cooperation of the General Directorate of Criminal Justice of Italy,” the Libyan foreign ministry explained [Libya Observer, 22.06.2019];
- Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, admitted publicly for the first time that his country was supplying military equipment to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and its militant allies, thus violating the UN-imposed arms embargo on Libya. During a rare two-hour discussion with intentional reporters inside a wing of the ornate Dolmabahce Palace along Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait, Erdoğan said GNA and its militias have demanded that Turkey supply them with military hardware [Address Libya, 21.06.2019];
- the Maltese Ambassador to Libya, Charles Saliba has emphasized his government’s support for the initiative put forward by the Presidential Council (PC) head, Fayez al-Sirraj, to end the crisis in Libya. This came during his meeting Wednesday with Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha, at the ministry’s HQ in Tripoli [Libya Observer, 20.06.2019];
- the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki told reporters Thursday that there can be no military solution to the Libyan crisis. Faki told French newspaper Jeune Afrique that the Libyan Reconciliation Conference that is scheduled in next July in Addis Ababa won’t be held till a ceasefire is reached in Tripoli [Libya Observer, 20.06.2019];
- the German, French, and British ambassadors to Libya reiterated their countries commitment to continue support for the municipal elections in Libya. This came during the ambassadors meeting with Chairman of the Central Committee for Municipal Councils Elections, Salim bin Tahia and UNDP Resident Representative, Gerardo Noto, in addition to a number of other United Nations representatives. The ambassadors praised the efforts applied by the international community representatives and the Central Committee for Municipal Council Elections [Libya Observer, 18.06.2019];
- Italy sees Russia as a key partner in dealing with crises that cause it grave concern, such as those in Libya, Syria and Venezuela, the president of the Italian Senate’s Foreign Affairs Commissions said today. “We consider Russia our fundamental strategic partner not only for the Libyan affairs, but also for the solution of other serious crises that are of our grave concern, such as Syria and Venezuela,” Vito Petrocelli said [Address Libya, 17.06.2019].
