The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Libyan Interim Government condemned “the entry of miltias and terrorist groups in the areas adjacent to the capital Tripoli, especially in the city of Tarhuna and the Qasr bin Ghashir and Al-Orban areas, in addition to some other towns where militias and foreign mercenaries have entered under the cover of Turkish air support.”
In a statement published on Saturday, the Ministry denounced the grave violations carried out by these “terrorist groups” including “the loss of lives, the looting of private property, the theft of public facilities, and reprisals that include the killing of the wounded in hospitals”.
According to the Interim Government, such actions are “a flagrant violation of the most basic human and moral principles, and contrary to international laws and norms.”
The statement noted that the armed groups responsible for such crimes include former members of terrorist groups that are still on the list of the UN Security Council’s sanctions committees.
The latter include the Benghazi Revolutionaries’ Shura Council, the Mujahideen Council of Derna, and entities associated with international terrorist organisations like Tahrir Al-Sham (formerly known as Al-Nusra Front).
The Ministry reaffirmed the legitimacy of the Libyan National Army’s (LNA) battle against terrorists, armed groups and foreign mercenaries.
It said the LNA did not aim to establish military rule, but rather restore the rule of law and the establishment of a pluralist, democratic and civil state based on functioning institutions.
The statement called on the international community, the UN, the African Union, the League of Arab States and the European Union to assume their responsibilities in condemning this aggression.
It also called for an end to the use of foreign mercenaries, which violates international agreements against the recruitment, use, financing, and training of mercenaries, as well as Security Council resolutions 2178 of 2014 and 2396 of 2017.
“Bringing mercenaries and supporting them with money and weapons will not only affect the security and stability of Libya, but it would threaten the security and stability of the Mediterranean basin and the world as a whole.”, the statement added.
The Foreign Ministry concluded that it monitors all crimes committed by militias affliliated to the Government of National Accord (GNA), foreign mercenaries as well as violations of national laws, and international human rights law in order to prosecute them nationally and internationally.