Libya's GNA forces intercept 80 LNA military vehicles in the centre of the country
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Forces loyal to Libya's internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) announced on Wednesday that they have intercepted a military convoy of the rival eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar on its way to central Libya.
An official of the LNA said the convoy, composed of 80 armed vehicles, were leaving al-Joufra to al-Loud, near Sirte, 450 km east of Tripoli, stressing that this is part of a suspicious strong mobilization of the LNA.
The spokesperson of the army loyal to the GNA, Colonel Mohamed Ganounou, said that the Intelligence and Information Analysis Unit of its Operations Command noticed the movement of the convoy to al-Loud.
He said that Tuesday night's movements coincided with "mobilizations of suspicious military troops from the enemy camp supported by mercenaries".
Colonel Ganounou added, in a statement issued by the "Volcano of Wrath" military operation affiliated to the GNA that the movements also coincided with "five expected and repeated violations since the declaration of the ceasefire" last on 21 August, which the government forces have pledged to respect.
He stressed that the instructions given to the government forces are to be fully prepared while awaiting orders from the "Supreme Commander to deal with and respond to the sources of fire at the appropriate place and time".
Since the defeat of Haftar's forces in Tripoli and the Western region at the end of May, the areas of Sirte and al-Joufra have constituted the frontline where troops from both sides are positioned.
Separate statements on 21 August by the president of the Presidential Council, Fayez al-Sarraj, and the Speaker of Parliament, Aguila Saleh, proclaimed a ceasefire which has been welcomed by the international community pending the resumption of the political process.
These ceasefire declarations also asked for the demilitarisation of the areas of Sirte, al-Joufra and the Oil Crescent.
Meetings between the rival administrations which opened in Morocco on Sunday have revived hopes for a resumption of the political process to establish a permanent ceasefire and prepare modalities to end the current political transition ahead of general elections in March 2021.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/BBA/MA 9Sept2020
