Libyan National Army to Keep Fighting Terrorists to Liberate Country - Haftar

Sputnik News

13:03 14.08.2017(updated 15:54 14.08.2017)

The commander of the Libyan National Army said that his forces would continue fighting terrorists until taking full control of the country.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Libyan National Army (LNA) will continue fighting terrorists until its forces take full control of the country, Khalifa Haftar, the LNA commander, said Monday.

"We will continue our fights against terrorists until me manage to liberate all territory of Libya," Haftar said during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.

The military commander noted that as a result of three months of non-stop battles the LNA managed to take about 90 percent of the nation's territory under control.

"You probably know the huge costs that the Libyan National Army is taking to destroy terrorism. Fierce fighting has been underway without stopping for more than three months, all this in the conditions of the ongoing arms embargo and unlimited support of terrorists with finances and weapons," Haftar said at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"All this fighting ended with the announcement of the liberation of Benghazi and the taking under the control by the Libyan National Army of all oil fields, oil ports and military bases in the country. So at least 90 percent of the country was liberated," he said.

Haftar said he was determined to enhance cooperation with Russia in various areas.

"We confirm our desire to continue building our friendship with Russia as well as continue building cooperation with your country in all spheres," Haftar said during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.

According to the military commander, he was planning to discuss the developments in Libya during the meeting.

"Our countries have a history of strong relation and we expect to continue building partnership with you," Haftar said, thanking Lavrov for the position, Russia took regarding Libya, on the international level.

Libya has been suffering from a civil war since 2011 when long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown. The country's eastern regions are governed by the elected parliament backed by the LNA, and headquartered in the city of Tobruk. Besides, the Government of National Accord, formed with the support from the United Nations and Europe and headed by Fayez Sarraj, operates in the country's west, including the Libyan capital of Tripoli.

Moscow has been providing support for the regulation of the crisis in Libya and has repeatedly said it was ready to cooperate with all the interested Libyan parties.

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