Libya govt. calls ceasefire after militants announce truce
Iran Press TV
Sun Jan 18, 2015 1:47PM
Libya's internationally recognized government has called a ceasefire following an earlier announcement by the country's militants to stop the deadly clashes.
'We declare a ceasefire from midnight (2200 GMT) Sunday,' read the statement issued by the Libyan army on Sunday.
However, Libyan army soldiers 'have been given the right to defend themselves if they come under fire,' the statement added.
The army also stressed that the situation on the ground will be monitored 'to prevent any change in front lines or transportation of weapons and ammunition [for the militants].'
On Friday, the Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) militant group announced a ceasefire "on all fronts," a move which was welcomed by the United Nations Security Council.
The council also threatened to slap sanctions on those who disrupt efforts to restore peace and security to the North African country, adding, "There can be no military solution to the crisis in Libya,'
Libya's government and elected parliament moved to the eastern city of Tobruk after the armed group, which is based in the northwestern city of Misrata, seized Tripoli and most government institutions in August 2014.
The new Tripoli rulers have set up a rival parliament and government not recognized by the international community.
Libya plunged into chaos following the 2011 uprising against the dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi. The ouster of Gaddafi gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.
The country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militia groups that refuse to lay down arms.
Battles among the rival militants, who had participated in the anti-Gaddafi uprising, are mainly over the control of oil facilities in eastern Libya.
FNR/HMV
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