On Wednesday, the Spokesman for the Libyan National Army (LNA), Major General Ahmed Al-Mismari said that they would “not take sides in the ‘political conflict’ in Tripoli.”
During press statements to Sky News Arabia, Al-Mismari stressed that “supporting any political party over the other was not the LNA’s job.”
He added that they hoped that the Libyan people “reach safe and fair elections very soon, to end the crisis. Weapons are in the hands of a force that goes to those who pay more, and those who legitimize it.”
Concerns have escalated over the return of violence and clashes to Tripoli. This is due to a recent military build-up over the past few days, following the ongoing dispute between the incumbent PM, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba and the Parliament-designated Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said it was “following with deep concern the ongoing mobilization of forces and threats to resort to force to resolve legitimacy claims in Libya.”
It called for immediate de-escalation, and reiterated that the use of force by any party is unacceptable. As this would not lead to an outcome that secures recognition by the international community.
“The current political stalemate and all aspects of the crisis that afflicts Libya cannot be resolved through armed confrontation. These issues can only be resolved by the Libyan people exercising their right to choose their leaders and the renewal of legitimacy of State institutions through democratic elections,” UNSMIL said on Tuesday.
The mission affirmed that it will continue to work with relevant Libyan institutions and all actors to put the electoral process back on track as soon as possible.