President Tayyip&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;vowed on Thursday (June 4) to increase Turkey's support for Libya's internationally recognised government, and added that the two sides would expand their cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean, following talks in Ankara ahead of a new round of potential ceasefire talks.

Fayez al Serraj, leader of Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA), held lengthy talks with&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;in Ankara, as the allies seek to lock in battlefield gains, including recapturing Tripoli, ahead of the truce talks.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-talks-in-stalemate-as-russia-accuses-turkey-of-infiltrating-foreign-fighters-283096">Libya talks in stalemate as Russia accuses Turkey of infiltrating foreign fighters</a>

Turkey started backing the GNA in November after signing a military cooperation pact alongside a maritime demarcation deal, which gives Ankara oil exploration rights in the Mediterranean that Greece and others reject.

Turkish support in the conflict has pushed back Khalifa Haftar's eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), backed by the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Egypt, which had been attacking the GNA in Tripoli since April 2019. On Thursday, the GNA said it had regained control of Tripoli.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/poor-relations-between-uae-and-turkey-have-further-complicated-conflicts-in-the-middle-east-300864">Poor relations between UAE and Turkey have further complicated conflicts in the Middle East</a>

The latest advance could hasten steps toward a potential truce, underlining Turkey's growing influence in the resource-rich region where&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;could seek lasting energy and military cooperation.

Serraj's visit to Turkey comes after weeks of gains by the GNA, driving Haftar from his foothold in the northwest. A senior Turkish official said the recent gains by the GNA were critical ahead of the truce talks, and Ankara has said the recent gains were an opportunity for political talks.

President Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Thursday (June 4) to increase Turkey's support for Libya's internationally recognised government, and added that the two sides would expand their cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean, following talks in Ankara ahead of a new round of potential ceasefire talks.

President Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Thursday (June 4) to increase Turkey's support for Libya's internationally recognised government, and added that the two sides would expand their cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean, following talks in Ankara ahead of a new round of potential ceasefire talks. Fayez al Serraj, leader of Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA), held lengthy talks with Erdogan in Ankara, as the allies seek to lock in battlefield gains, including recapturing Tripoli, ahead of the truce talks. Also read: Libya talks in stalemate as Russia accuses Turkey of infiltrating foreign fighters Turkey started backing the GNA in November after signing a military cooperation pact alongside a maritime demarcation deal, which gives Ankara oil exploration rights in the Mediterranean that Greece and others reject. Turkish support in the conflict has pushed back Khalifa Haftar's eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), backed by the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Egypt, which had been attacking the GNA in Tripoli since April 2019. On Thursday, the GNA said it had regained control of Tripoli. Also read: Poor relations between UAE and Turkey have further complicated conflicts in the Middle East The latest advance could hasten steps toward a potential truce, underlining Turkey's growing influence in the resource-rich region where Erdogan could seek lasting energy and military cooperation. Serraj's visit to Turkey comes after weeks of gains by the GNA, driving Haftar from his foothold in the northwest. A senior Turkish official said the recent gains by the GNA were critical ahead of the truce talks, and Ankara has said the recent gains were an opportunity for political talks.

Turkey to increase support for Libya's Serraj, says Erdogan

Turkey said on Sunday it would deem the forces of Libyan General Khalifa Haftar "legitimate targets" if their attacks on its interests and diplomatic missions in Libya persisted.

Turkey backs Libya`s internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). It has signed a military cooperation deal with the GNA, which has been trying to fend off an offensive by Haftar`s forces.

Ankara views Haftar`s forces, which are backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia, as "putschists".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/social-distancing-benches-become-new-normal-in-turkey-297523">Also watch:&nbsp;Social distancing benches become new normal in Turkey</a>

"If our missions and our interests in Libya are targeted, we will deem Haftar`s forces legitimate targets," the foreign ministry said in a statement in which it also slammed the United Nations for not taking action over Haftar`s attacks.

"It is unacceptable for the United Nations to remain silent against this carnage any longer," it said. "Countries providing military, financial and political aid to Haftar are responsible for the suffering that the people of Libya are enduring and the chaos and instability the country is being dragged into."

It also said attacks on Tripoli`s Mitiga airport early on Saturday, part of an intensified barrage of artillery fire on the capital, were war crimes.

On Thursday, Turkey and Italy said the area around their embassies in Tripoli had been shelled.

Haftar`s Libyan National Army (LNA) has been fighting for more than a year to capture Tripoli from the GNA with frequent shelling of the capital. The United Nations said four fifths of the 130 civilian casualties recorded in the Libyan conflict in the first quarter of 2020 were caused by LNA ground fighting.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday the LNA was in a "period of regression" after NATO member Turkey threw its support behind the GNA.

"Even the efforts of countries that provide him (Haftar) with unlimited financial support and weapons will not be able to save him," Erdogan said.

Pro-GNA forces have retaken some territory from the LNA around Tripoli during an escalation of fighting in recent weeks with the help of Turkish-supplied drones.

The LNA says Turkey has established a military drone base at Mitiga, but the GNA denies this.

Turkey said on Sunday it would deem the forces of Libyan General Khalifa Haftar "legitimate targets" if their attacks on its interests and diplomatic missions in Libya persisted.

Turkey said on Sunday it would deem the forces of Libyan General Khalifa Haftar "legitimate targets" if their attacks on its interests and diplomatic missions in Libya persisted. Turkey backs Libya`s internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). It has signed a military cooperation deal with the GNA, which has been trying to fend off an offensive by Haftar`s forces. Ankara views Haftar`s forces, which are backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia, as "putschists". Also watch: Social distancing benches become new normal in Turkey "If our missions and our interests in Libya are targeted, we will deem Haftar`s forces legitimate targets," the foreign ministry said in a statement in which it also slammed the United Nations for not taking action over Haftar`s attacks. "It is unacceptable for the United Nations to remain silent against this carnage any longer," it said. "Countries providing military, financial and political aid to Haftar are responsible for the suffering that the people of Libya are enduring and the chaos and instability the country is being dragged into." It also said attacks on Tripoli`s Mitiga airport early on Saturday, part of an intensified barrage of artillery fire on the capital, were war crimes. On Thursday, Turkey and Italy said the area around their embassies in Tripoli had been shelled. Haftar`s Libyan National Army (LNA) has been fighting for more than a year to capture Tripoli from the GNA with frequent shelling of the capital. The United Nations said four fifths of the 130 civilian casualties recorded in the Libyan conflict in the first quarter of 2020 were caused by LNA ground fighting. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday the LNA was in a "period of regression" after NATO member Turkey threw its support behind the GNA. "Even the efforts of countries that provide him (Haftar) with unlimited financial support and weapons will not be able to save him," Erdogan said. Pro-GNA forces have retaken some territory from the LNA around Tripoli during an escalation of fighting in recent weeks with the help of Turkish-supplied drones. The LNA says Turkey has established a military drone base at Mitiga, but the GNA denies this.

Turkey threatens to target Haftar's forces in Libya if attacks persist

Both of Libya's warring factions accused each other of violating a ceasefire proposed by Turkey and Russia, as fighting continued around the capital, Tripoli, on Sunday.

The Turkish and Russian presidents had called for the ceasefire to start on Sunday, more than nine months into an offensive on Tripoli by the eastern-based <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libyan-forces-loyal-to-haftar-announce-ceasefire-gna-agrees-to-truce-273671">Libyan National Army</a> (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar.

Both the LNA and the Tripoli-based, internationally recognised <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-30-people-killed-in-libya-military-academy-attack-in-tripoli-272302">Government of National Accord</a> (GNA) had said they conditionally agreed to the truce.

But the GNA said in a statement that it had recorded gunfire in the Salaheddin and Wadi Rabea areas "minutes" after the ceasefire was meant to start at 0001 a.m. on Sunday (Saturday 2201 GMT).

From early on Sunday morning exchanges of fire could be heard in Salaheddin and Ain Zara districts.

Any attempt to impose a lasting ceasefire will be hard to enforce because of the splintered nature of Libya's military coalitions, with disparate factions and foreign fighters deployed on both sides. Both sides refer to each other as militias.

"The (GNA) militias violated the truce on more than one battlefront, with all types of weapons," said LNA commander Al-Mabrouk Al-Gazawi, adding that forces were waiting for further instruction from LNA general command.

The GNA said in a statement it had recorded violations by "the aggressor's militias" but that it "renews its commitment to the ceasefire, and emphasizes the need for commitment from the patrons of this ceasefire and the United Nations mission in Libya in applying it optimally".

Turkey's defence ministry said it had observed that all sides were trying to abide by the ceasefire and that the situation was calm except for "one or two separate incidents".

The ceasefire call came after a recent escalation of fighting around Tripoli, and the LNA's advance into <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-haftar-forces-seize-large-parts-of-sirte-city-272759">Sirte</a>, a strategically important city midway along Libya's coastline.

It also came as the United Nations and European powers pushed for a summit in Berlin aimed at winding down foreign involvement and resuming a peace process upended by Haftar's advance.

The LNA has received backing from the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt and Russia, while Turkey backs the GNA and voted this month to allow a troop deployment to the North African country.

Both of Libya's warring factions accused each other of violating a ceasefire proposed by Turkey and Russia, as fighting continued around the capital, Tripoli, on Sunday.

Both of Libya's warring factions accused each other of violating a ceasefire proposed by Turkey and Russia, as fighting continued around the capital, Tripoli, on Sunday. The Turkish and Russian presidents had called for the ceasefire to start on Sunday, more than nine months into an offensive on Tripoli by the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar. Both the LNA and the Tripoli-based, internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) had said they conditionally agreed to the truce. But the GNA said in a statement that it had recorded gunfire in the Salaheddin and Wadi Rabea areas "minutes" after the ceasefire was meant to start at 0001 a.m. on Sunday (Saturday 2201 GMT). From early on Sunday morning exchanges of fire could be heard in Salaheddin and Ain Zara districts. Any attempt to impose a lasting ceasefire will be hard to enforce because of the splintered nature of Libya's military coalitions, with disparate factions and foreign fighters deployed on both sides. Both sides refer to each other as militias. "The (GNA) militias violated the truce on more than one battlefront, with all types of weapons," said LNA commander Al-Mabrouk Al-Gazawi, adding that forces were waiting for further instruction from LNA general command. The GNA said in a statement it had recorded violations by "the aggressor's militias" but that it "renews its commitment to the ceasefire, and emphasizes the need for commitment from the patrons of this ceasefire and the United Nations mission in Libya in applying it optimally". Turkey's defence ministry said it had observed that all sides were trying to abide by the ceasefire and that the situation was calm except for "one or two separate incidents". The ceasefire call came after a recent escalation of fighting around Tripoli, and the LNA's advance into Sirte, a strategically important city midway along Libya's coastline. It also came as the United Nations and European powers pushed for a summit in Berlin aimed at winding down foreign involvement and resuming a peace process upended by Haftar's advance. The LNA has received backing from the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt and Russia, while Turkey backs the GNA and voted this month to allow a troop deployment to the North African country.

Libya: Libyan National Army and Government of National Accord blame each other for 'violating ceasefire'

At least 30 people were killed and 33 others wounded in an attack on a military academy in the Libyan capital late on Saturday, the health ministry of the Tripoli-based government said in a statement on Sunday.

Tripoli, controlled by the internationally recognised <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-at-least-28-killed-in-air-strike-on-military-school-272169">Government of National Accord</a> (GNA), is facing an offensive by military commander Khalifa Haftar's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-to-send-troops-to-libya-at-tripolis-request-270402">Libyan National Army</a> (LNA) that began in April.

There has been an increase in airstrikes and shelling around Tripoli in recent weeks, with fears that fighting could escalate further after Turkey’s parliament voted to allow a troop deployment in support of the GNA.

Forces allied with the GNA described Saturday’s attack on the military camp at Al-Hadhba as "an aerial bombing" launched by their eastern rivals. An LNA spokesman denied involvement.

GNA Health Minister Hamid bin Omar told media that earlier in a phone call that the number of dead and wounded was still rising. Tripoli ambulance service spokesman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protesters-lock-down-oil-field-call-strike-270855">Osama Ali</a> said some body parts could not be immediately counted by forensic experts.

Earlier, the ambulance service appealed for a temporary ceasefire to allow its crews to retrieve the bodies of five civilians killed on As Sidra Road in southern Tripoli and to evacuate families.

Emergency teams withdrew after coming under fire while trying to access the area on Saturday, it said.

The GNA Foreign Ministry called for referring Haftar and his aides to the International Criminal Court on charges of committing "crimes against humanity", adding that it will call for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to discuss the alleged crimes.

Qatar, which supports GNA, said on Saturday that the attack "may amount to a war crime and crimes against humanity".

Ankara, which last week passed a bill approving a troop deployment in Libya to support Tripoli, also condemned the attack and said the international community needs to take steps to achieve a ceasefire.

"It is crucial for the international community to urgently take necessary steps to halt external support for the pro-Haftar army and its attacks and establish a ceasefire in Libya," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-to-send-troops-to-libya-at-tripolis-request-270402">United Nations Support Mission in Libya</a> (UNSMIL) condemned the attack saying that "rising escalation&nbsp;further complicates the situation in Libya and threatens the chances of returning to the political process".

In response to the attack, GNA allied forces have targeted the LNA airbase of Al-Wattia in an airstrike, around 159 km southwest of Tripoli, a spokesman said in a statement.

Two sources in Haftar forces said four fighters were killed in a drone strike early on Sunday.

An increase in airstrikes and shelling in and around <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-to-back-libya-deployment-bill-but-troops-unlikely-for-now-271717">Tripoli</a> has caused the deaths of at least 11 civilians since early December and shut down health facilities and schools, the U.N. mission in Libya said on Friday.

Rockets and shelling also shut down Tripoli’s only functioning airport on Friday.

On Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Libya.

He warned that the delivery of foreign support to warring parties would "only deepen the ongoing conflict and further complicate efforts to reach a peaceful and comprehensive political solution".

The parliament which moved to the east in 2014 voted to provide Haftar with emergency funding on Saturday.

The pro-Haftar chamber also held a series of symbolic votes against the GNA and Turkey, which struck two pacts on maritime boundaries and military cooperation in November.

At least 30 people were killed and 33 others wounded in an attack on a military academy in the Libyan capital late on Saturday, the health ministry of the Tripoli-based government said in a statement on Sunday.

At least 30 people were killed and 33 others wounded in an attack on a military academy in the Libyan capital late on Saturday, the health ministry of the Tripoli-based government said in a statement on Sunday. Tripoli, controlled by the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), is facing an offensive by military commander Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) that began in April. There has been an increase in airstrikes and shelling around Tripoli in recent weeks, with fears that fighting could escalate further after Turkey’s parliament voted to allow a troop deployment in support of the GNA. Forces allied with the GNA described Saturday’s attack on the military camp at Al-Hadhba as "an aerial bombing" launched by their eastern rivals. An LNA spokesman denied involvement. GNA Health Minister Hamid bin Omar told media that earlier in a phone call that the number of dead and wounded was still rising. Tripoli ambulance service spokesman Osama Ali said some body parts could not be immediately counted by forensic experts. Earlier, the ambulance service appealed for a temporary ceasefire to allow its crews to retrieve the bodies of five civilians killed on As Sidra Road in southern Tripoli and to evacuate families. Emergency teams withdrew after coming under fire while trying to access the area on Saturday, it said. The GNA Foreign Ministry called for referring Haftar and his aides to the International Criminal Court on charges of committing "crimes against humanity", adding that it will call for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to discuss the alleged crimes. Qatar, which supports GNA, said on Saturday that the attack "may amount to a war crime and crimes against humanity". Ankara, which last week passed a bill approving a troop deployment in Libya to support Tripoli, also condemned the attack and said the international community needs to take steps to achieve a ceasefire. "It is crucial for the international community to urgently take necessary steps to halt external support for the pro-Haftar army and its attacks and establish a ceasefire in Libya," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) condemned the attack saying that "rising escalation further complicates the situation in Libya and threatens the chances of returning to the political process". In response to the attack, GNA allied forces have targeted the LNA airbase of Al-Wattia in an airstrike, around 159 km southwest of Tripoli, a spokesman said in a statement. Two sources in Haftar forces said four fighters were killed in a drone strike early on Sunday. An increase in airstrikes and shelling in and around Tripoli has caused the deaths of at least 11 civilians since early December and shut down health facilities and schools, the U.N. mission in Libya said on Friday. Rockets and shelling also shut down Tripoli’s only functioning airport on Friday. On Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Libya. He warned that the delivery of foreign support to warring parties would "only deepen the ongoing conflict and further complicate efforts to reach a peaceful and comprehensive political solution". The parliament which moved to the east in 2014 voted to provide Haftar with emergency funding on Saturday. The pro-Haftar chamber also held a series of symbolic votes against the GNA and Turkey, which struck two pacts on maritime boundaries and military cooperation in November.

At least 30 people killed in Libya military academy attack in Tripoli

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-will-seek-accountability-on-khashoggi-no-matter-how-high-it-goes-270052">Turkey</a>&nbsp;will&nbsp;send&nbsp;troops&nbsp;to&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;at the&nbsp;request&nbsp;of Tripoli as soon as next month, President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/sports-has-emerged-as-battlefield-for-freedom-of-expression-270322">Tayyip&nbsp;Erdogan</a>&nbsp;said on Thursday, putting the north African country's conflict at the centre of wider regional frictions.

Libya's internationally recognised <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-war-all-we-want-is-to-live-in-dignity-says-homeless-mohammed-270106">Government of National Accord</a> (GNA) has been fending off a months-long offensive by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-drone-shot-down-by-russian-air-defences-near-libyan-capital-266794">General Khalifa Haftar's</a> forces in eastern&nbsp;Libya, which have been supported by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Last month, Ankara signed two separate accords with the GNA, led by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-says-turkey-will-increase-military-support-to-libya-if-necessary-269588">Fayez al-Serraj</a>, one on security and military cooperation and another on maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean.

"Since there is an invitation (from&nbsp;Libya) right now, we will accept it,"&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;told members of his AK Party in a speech. "We will put the bill on&nbsp;sending&nbsp;troops&nbsp;to&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;on the agenda as soon as parliament opens."

The legislation would pass around January&nbsp;8-9, he said, opening the door to deployment.

However, it was unclear what specific invitation&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;was referring to, as the interior minister in the Tripoli-based government, Fathi Bashagha, suggested in comments to reporters in Tunis that no such official&nbsp;request&nbsp;had yet been made.

"If the situation escalates and then we have the right to defend Tripoli and its residents... we will submit an official&nbsp;request&nbsp;to the Turkish government to support us militarily so we expel the ghost of mercenary forces," Bashagha said on Thursday.

For weeks <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-will-seek-accountability-on-khashoggi-no-matter-how-high-it-goes-270052">Ankara</a> has flagged the possibility of a military mission in&nbsp;Libya, which would further stretch its armed forces less than three months after it launched an incursion into northeastern Syria against a Kurdish militia.

Turkey&nbsp;has already sent military supplies to the GNA despite a United Nations arms embargo, according to a UN&nbsp;report seen last month.

The Tripoli government and Haftar's forces were not immediately available for reaction to&nbsp;Erdogan's comments.

Erdogan&nbsp;visited Tunisia on Wednesday to discuss cooperation for a possible ceasefire in neighbouring&nbsp;Libya. On Thursday, he said&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;and Tunisia had agreed to support the GNA.

Moscow has voiced concerns over a possible Turkish <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-parliament-approves-libya-military-deal-269504">military deployment</a> to&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;in support of the GNA.&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;has said&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;will not stay silent over mercenaries from the Kremlin-linked Wagner group supporting Haftar.

"Russia is there with 2,000 Wagner (fighters),"&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;said on Thursday, also referring to some 5,000 fighters from Sudan in&nbsp;Libya. "Is the official government inviting them? No."

"They are all helping a war baron (Haftar), whereas we are accepting an invitation from the legitimate government of the country. That is our difference," he added.

Haftar's eastern-based&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eastern-libyan-force-warns-against-transporting-military-equipment-in-civilian-planes-269619">Libyan National Army</a> has been trying since April to take Tripoli from the GNA, which was set up in 2016 following a U.N.-brokered deal.

Turkish and Russian officials held talks in Moscow this week to seek a compromise on the issues of both&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;and Syria. Russia's Vedomosti said on Thursday the discussions had lasted much longer than the expected three days.

In Syria, Russia is an ally of Syrian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-backed-syrian-forces-gain-ground-in-idlib-269853">President Bashar al-Assad</a> while&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;has backed rebels seeking his ouster during the more than eight-year civil war. The latest talks follow reports that Russian-backed attacks were forcing tens of thousands more Syrians to flee towards&nbsp;Turkey.

Turkey&nbsp;has also been ramping up efforts to strike deals with nations around the Mediterranean, where Ankara has been at loggerheads with Greece over resources off the coast of the divided island of Cyprus.

Turkey will send troops to Libya at the request of Tripoli as soon as next month, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, putting the north African country's conflict at the centre of wider regional frictions.

Turkey will send troops to Libya at the request of Tripoli as soon as next month, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, putting the north African country's conflict at the centre of wider regional frictions. Libya's internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) has been fending off a months-long offensive by General Khalifa Haftar's forces in eastern Libya, which have been supported by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Last month, Ankara signed two separate accords with the GNA, led by Fayez al-Serraj, one on security and military cooperation and another on maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean. "Since there is an invitation (from Libya) right now, we will accept it," Erdogan told members of his AK Party in a speech. "We will put the bill on sending troops to Libya on the agenda as soon as parliament opens." The legislation would pass around January 8-9, he said, opening the door to deployment. However, it was unclear what specific invitation Erdogan was referring to, as the interior minister in the Tripoli-based government, Fathi Bashagha, suggested in comments to reporters in Tunis that no such official request had yet been made. "If the situation escalates and then we have the right to defend Tripoli and its residents... we will submit an official request to the Turkish government to support us militarily so we expel the ghost of mercenary forces," Bashagha said on Thursday. For weeks Ankara has flagged the possibility of a military mission in Libya, which would further stretch its armed forces less than three months after it launched an incursion into northeastern Syria against a Kurdish militia. Turkey has already sent military supplies to the GNA despite a United Nations arms embargo, according to a UN report seen last month. The Tripoli government and Haftar's forces were not immediately available for reaction to Erdogan's comments. Erdogan visited Tunisia on Wednesday to discuss cooperation for a possible ceasefire in neighbouring Libya. On Thursday, he said Turkey and Tunisia had agreed to support the GNA. Moscow has voiced concerns over a possible Turkish military deployment to Libya in support of the GNA. Erdogan has said Turkey will not stay silent over mercenaries from the Kremlin-linked Wagner group supporting Haftar. "Russia is there with 2,000 Wagner (fighters)," Erdogan said on Thursday, also referring to some 5,000 fighters from Sudan in Libya. "Is the official government inviting them? No." "They are all helping a war baron (Haftar), whereas we are accepting an invitation from the legitimate government of the country. That is our difference," he added. Haftar's eastern-based Libyan National Army has been trying since April to take Tripoli from the GNA, which was set up in 2016 following a U.N.-brokered deal. Turkish and Russian officials held talks in Moscow this week to seek a compromise on the issues of both Libya and Syria. Russia's Vedomosti said on Thursday the discussions had lasted much longer than the expected three days. In Syria, Russia is an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad while Turkey has backed rebels seeking his ouster during the more than eight-year civil war. The latest talks follow reports that Russian-backed attacks were forcing tens of thousands more Syrians to flee towards Turkey. Turkey has also been ramping up efforts to strike deals with nations around the Mediterranean, where Ankara has been at loggerheads with Greece over resources off the coast of the divided island of Cyprus.

Turkey to send troops to Libya at Tripoli's request

Layla Mohammed barely had time to gather her children's belongings before fleeing their southern Tripoli home when shelling targeted the Libyan capital's outskirts earlier this year.

For months she moved her family between apartments as soaring rents in the crowded city exhausted her savings, eventually leaving them squatting in an unfinished building alongside dozens of other families.

More than 140,000 Libyans like Mohammed have fled their homes since April when forces loyal to eastern-based strongman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eastern-libyan-force-warns-against-transporting-military-equipment-in-civilian-planes-269619">Khalifa Haftar</a> launched an assault on Tripoli, the seat of the UN-recognised government.&nbsp;

In central Tripoli, the grey skeletons of a highrise construction site abandoned since 2008 due to a property dispute now host more than 170 families.

For some, the high rises in Tarik al-Sekka were "a gift from heaven", since the alternative was living in the street.

But "we live like animals -- without running water, electricity, or even sewage," said Mohammed, a mother of seven.

Her youngest son is sick with a chronic respiratory illness. "The dust will kill him," Mohammed despaired.

"All we want is to live in dignity," she said.

Neighbour Samira crowds her four children into a single room in a nearby building, preferring the greater warmth it affords over any sense of privacy.

She feels safe in the eight square metre room, which thanks to a benefactor has a door and a window. "Even if it's not ideal, at least it's free," she said.

Initially, Samira was determined to stay in her southern Tripoli home, even as combat crept closer over the months.&nbsp;

But when a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/air-raids-in-libyan-capital-tripoli-kill-five-wound-ten-sources-265847">rocket fell</a> near her house the terror became too much and she fled, she said.&nbsp;

The buildings sheltering Samira and Mohammed are just metres from the seat of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-says-turkey-will-increase-military-support-to-libya-if-necessary-269588">Government of National Accord</a> (GNA).

But authorities have done little to help.

Mayssoun al-Diab is in charge of displacement issues for the GNA's crisis committee but admits "the government has offered them nothing, not even moral support".

According to her, the government was unable to find shelter for all the displaced, leaving many at the mercy of avaricious lenders.

Her committee requisitioned schools, public buildings and hotels to house the displaced, but faced with an ever-growing influx as the battle dragged on, more and more families found themselves homeless.

When term time resumed, the situation got worse. After living for months in one Tripoli school, Khairi al-Doukali said his family was "evicted alongside dozens of other families" to allow classes to restart.&nbsp;

Eventually, the Doukali family also ended up on the Tarik al-Sekka building site.

In the face of government inaction, civic-minded <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-pm-designate-begins-tough-talks-to-form-government-269503">Tripoli</a> residents have responded to heartfelt pleas online and stepped in to help.&nbsp;

Every day people give food, clothing and blankets, according to Salem el-Chatti, a member of a neighbourhood support group.

"We try to distribute donated items in a fair manner," he said.

A man named Abdel-Atti arrives to donate a mattress and blankets.&nbsp;

"I pass by these buildings every day," he said.

"It breaks my heart that my kids are fed and sleep warm inside while our brothers are experiencing this tragedy."

Layla Mohammed barely had time to gather her children's belongings before fleeing their southern Tripoli home when shelling targeted the Libyan capital's outskirts earlier this year.

Layla Mohammed barely had time to gather her children's belongings before fleeing their southern Tripoli home when shelling targeted the Libyan capital's outskirts earlier this year. For months she moved her family between apartments as soaring rents in the crowded city exhausted her savings, eventually leaving them squatting in an unfinished building alongside dozens of other families. More than 140,000 Libyans like Mohammed have fled their homes since April when forces loyal to eastern-based strongman Khalifa Haftar launched an assault on Tripoli, the seat of the UN-recognised government. In central Tripoli, the grey skeletons of a highrise construction site abandoned since 2008 due to a property dispute now host more than 170 families. For some, the high rises in Tarik al-Sekka were "a gift from heaven", since the alternative was living in the street. But "we live like animals -- without running water, electricity, or even sewage," said Mohammed, a mother of seven. Her youngest son is sick with a chronic respiratory illness. "The dust will kill him," Mohammed despaired. "All we want is to live in dignity," she said. Neighbour Samira crowds her four children into a single room in a nearby building, preferring the greater warmth it affords over any sense of privacy. She feels safe in the eight square metre room, which thanks to a benefactor has a door and a window. "Even if it's not ideal, at least it's free," she said. Initially, Samira was determined to stay in her southern Tripoli home, even as combat crept closer over the months. But when a rocket fell near her house the terror became too much and she fled, she said. The buildings sheltering Samira and Mohammed are just metres from the seat of the Government of National Accord (GNA). But authorities have done little to help. Mayssoun al-Diab is in charge of displacement issues for the GNA's crisis committee but admits "the government has offered them nothing, not even moral support". According to her, the government was unable to find shelter for all the displaced, leaving many at the mercy of avaricious lenders. Her committee requisitioned schools, public buildings and hotels to house the displaced, but faced with an ever-growing influx as the battle dragged on, more and more families found themselves homeless. When term time resumed, the situation got worse. After living for months in one Tripoli school, Khairi al-Doukali said his family was "evicted alongside dozens of other families" to allow classes to restart. Eventually, the Doukali family also ended up on the Tarik al-Sekka building site. In the face of government inaction, civic-minded Tripoli residents have responded to heartfelt pleas online and stepped in to help. Every day people give food, clothing and blankets, according to Salem el-Chatti, a member of a neighbourhood support group. "We try to distribute donated items in a fair manner," he said. A man named Abdel-Atti arrives to donate a mattress and blankets. "I pass by these buildings every day," he said. "It breaks my heart that my kids are fed and sleep warm inside while our brothers are experiencing this tragedy."

'All we want is to live in dignity': Libya war leaves thousands homeless

Washington's refusal to condemn an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-40-killed-in-air-strike-on-libya-migrant-centre-232617/amp">airstrike on a detention centre</a> that killed dozens of migrants blamed on Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar by his rivals shows tacit US support, experts say.

The decision could prove damaging for the internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj -- as well as for the UN's influence and human rights in war-torn Libya.

Washington's move "should not come as a surprise", said James Dorsey, a researcher at Singapore's S&nbsp;Rajaratnam School of International Studies. "It is a sign of US policy changing towards Libya."

Following more than two hours of deliberations on Wednesday, the United States blocked the UN Security Council from adopting a unanimous statement condemning the incident.

Bodies were strewn on the floor of a hangar in Tripoli's Tajoura suburb, mixed with the blood-soaked clothes of migrants following the strike condemned by UN chief Antonio Guterres as "horrendous". At least 44 people were killed and more than 100 injured.

The US representatives at the UN gave no explanation for the Trump administration's decision not to condemn the outrage.

The British-drafted text did not lay the blame with either side of the bitter conflict that has pitted Haftar's eastern power-base against forces aligned with the UN-recognised government in Tripoli.

Instead, it called for a ceasefire and a resumption of talks.

But Washington refused to give the final go-ahead for the text to be adopted, according to a European diplomatic source.

'Shared vision'?

"This latest US stand is perfectly consistent with the policies of the past few years which have turned a blind eye to egregious human rights violations when committed by US allies," said Karim Bitar, a senior fellow at the Paris-based IRIS think-tank.

"The Trump administration and its Gulf allies have fully embraced Haftar's heavy-handed methods and authoritarian agenda."

Mired in chaos since the 2011 toppling of Moamer Kadhafi, Libya is ruled by two rival factions -- Sarraj's GNA in the west, and Haftar's in the east.

The UN has previously failed to agree a unified position after Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) launched an assault on GNA-held Tripoli in April.

"The US have not withdrawn in any form or sense their recognition of -- nor revoked their support to -- the GNA, but de facto there has been contacts with Haftar at the highest level," added Dorsey.

After Haftar began to wage war on the country's west, US President Donald Trump called him to praise his "significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources" and "shared vision".

'Our son of a bitch'

"Haftar fulfils two criteria in the eyes of Washington. One, he is projecting himself against the Islamists. Two, he is backed by the US's two closest allies in the region, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia," said Dorsey.

Haftar has also received more subtle support from Egypt and France -- while even Russia has unusually sided with Washington and tilted towards him even as the GNA won backing from Turkey and Qatar.

"The last two months have witnessed a massive lobbying offensive in Washington with Haftar being represented by his own public relations firm backed by the extensive lobby apparatus of the UAE," said Andreas Krieg, a lecturer at King's College London.

"It looks as if the joint Haftar-UAE lobbying of Trump over the past months has been successful in convincing the White House that Haftar's LNA might be a partner to work with -- despite growing evidence of war crimes committed."

Haftar, 75, has sought to present himself as Libya's saviour while his rivals accuse him of once again seeking to subject Libya to a military dictatorship.

The US, which previously granted Haftar political asylum, knows him well.

Bitar, the IRIS analyst, summed up Washington's position by recounting the apocryphal comments of former US president Franklin D&nbsp;Roosevelt about Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza.

"He may be a son of a bitch," the 32nd president reputedly said. "But he's our son of a bitch."

Washington's refusal to condemn an airstrike on a detention centre that killed dozens of migrants blamed on Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar by his rivals shows tacit US support, experts say.

Washington's refusal to condemn an airstrike on a detention centre that killed dozens of migrants blamed on Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar by his rivals shows tacit US support, experts say. The decision could prove damaging for the internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj -- as well as for the UN's influence and human rights in war-torn Libya. Washington's move "should not come as a surprise", said James Dorsey, a researcher at Singapore's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies. "It is a sign of US policy changing towards Libya." Following more than two hours of deliberations on Wednesday, the United States blocked the UN Security Council from adopting a unanimous statement condemning the incident. Bodies were strewn on the floor of a hangar in Tripoli's Tajoura suburb, mixed with the blood-soaked clothes of migrants following the strike condemned by UN chief Antonio Guterres as "horrendous". At least 44 people were killed and more than 100 injured. The US representatives at the UN gave no explanation for the Trump administration's decision not to condemn the outrage. The British-drafted text did not lay the blame with either side of the bitter conflict that has pitted Haftar's eastern power-base against forces aligned with the UN-recognised government in Tripoli. Instead, it called for a ceasefire and a resumption of talks. But Washington refused to give the final go-ahead for the text to be adopted, according to a European diplomatic source. 'Shared vision'? "This latest US stand is perfectly consistent with the policies of the past few years which have turned a blind eye to egregious human rights violations when committed by US allies," said Karim Bitar, a senior fellow at the Paris-based IRIS think-tank. "The Trump administration and its Gulf allies have fully embraced Haftar's heavy-handed methods and authoritarian agenda." Mired in chaos since the 2011 toppling of Moamer Kadhafi, Libya is ruled by two rival factions -- Sarraj's GNA in the west, and Haftar's in the east. The UN has previously failed to agree a unified position after Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) launched an assault on GNA-held Tripoli in April. "The US have not withdrawn in any form or sense their recognition of -- nor revoked their support to -- the GNA, but de facto there has been contacts with Haftar at the highest level," added Dorsey. After Haftar began to wage war on the country's west, US President Donald Trump called him to praise his "significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources" and "shared vision". 'Our son of a bitch' "Haftar fulfils two criteria in the eyes of Washington. One, he is projecting himself against the Islamists. Two, he is backed by the US's two closest allies in the region, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia," said Dorsey. Haftar has also received more subtle support from Egypt and France -- while even Russia has unusually sided with Washington and tilted towards him even as the GNA won backing from Turkey and Qatar. "The last two months have witnessed a massive lobbying offensive in Washington with Haftar being represented by his own public relations firm backed by the extensive lobby apparatus of the UAE," said Andreas Krieg, a lecturer at King's College London. "It looks as if the joint Haftar-UAE lobbying of Trump over the past months has been successful in convincing the White House that Haftar's LNA might be a partner to work with -- despite growing evidence of war crimes committed." Haftar, 75, has sought to present himself as Libya's saviour while his rivals accuse him of once again seeking to subject Libya to a military dictatorship. The US, which previously granted Haftar political asylum, knows him well. Bitar, the IRIS analyst, summed up Washington's position by recounting the apocryphal comments of former US president Franklin D Roosevelt about Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. "He may be a son of a bitch," the 32nd president reputedly said. "But he's our son of a bitch."

US banks on Libya strongman Khalifa Haftar: Experts

Fierce fighting for control of Libya's capital that has already displaced tens of thousands of people threatens to bring a further worsening of humanitarian conditions, a senior UN official has warned.

"As long as the situation continues, even if it just stagnates and continues like this, we can expect to see a continuing deterioration," UN humanitarian coordinator for Libya Maria do Valle Ribeiro told AFP.

Strongman Khalifa Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) launched an offensive against Tripoli, the seat of the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), on April 4.

"When we see the use of air power, the indiscriminate shelling of densely populated areas, it is very difficult to be optimistic," do Valle Ribeiro, who is also the deputy UN envoy to Libya, said late Sunday.

She was speaking after air raids by the LNA on Tripoli on Saturday killed four people and wounded 20 others, according to the GNA.

"We continue to call for a respect of civilians, we continue to call for humanitarian pauses and most of all we continue to hope that the situation can return to a more peaceful settlement of the crisis," she said.

The fighting has killed at least 278 people and wounded more than 1,300, according to a toll released Wednesday by the World Health Organization.

It has also forced 41,000 people to flee combat areas around Tripoli, do Valle Ribeiro said, while many remain trapped and in need of humanitarian assistance.

Migrants at risk

Among the most vulnerable are about 3,500 migrants and refugees held in detention centres near the combat zone who are at "risk", the UN official said.

She said that 800 considered most in danger had been evacuated after the UN and rights groups said gunmen attacked a detention centre south of Tripoli last week.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said several migrants and refugees were shot and wounded in the attack.

Libya has been mired in chaos since the NATO-backed uprising that deposed and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

People smugglers have taken advantage of the lawlessness, ferrying mostly sub-Saharan Africans from Libyan shores to Europe.

According to the International Organisation for Migration, some 6,000 migrants are held in official detention centres in Libya. Hundreds more are held by armed groups elsewhere in the war-hit country.

On Sunday Pope Francis called for "humanitarian corridors" to be opened to evacuate them.

The UN official also voiced concern over a breakdown in basic services, including electricity and water supplies, and said more relief funds were needed for Libya.

"We appealed for an additional 10.2 million (dollars) which doesn't cover all that we foresee... but it covers at least the essential response for the first three, four weeks," she said.

During the first week of fighting, she said, "over a million schoolbooks" that were stored in a warehouse of the ministry of education were destroyed when the compound was hit.&nbsp;

"Symbolically, it says a lot about the impact of such strife and clashes on not just the immediate survival of people but on the future of Tripoli children."

Fierce fighting for control of Libya's capital that has already displaced tens of thousands of people threatens to bring a further worsening of humanitarian conditions, a senior UN official has warned.

Fierce fighting for control of Libya's capital that has already displaced tens of thousands of people threatens to bring a further worsening of humanitarian conditions, a senior UN official has warned. "As long as the situation continues, even if it just stagnates and continues like this, we can expect to see a continuing deterioration," UN humanitarian coordinator for Libya Maria do Valle Ribeiro told AFP. Strongman Khalifa Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) launched an offensive against Tripoli, the seat of the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), on April 4. "When we see the use of air power, the indiscriminate shelling of densely populated areas, it is very difficult to be optimistic," do Valle Ribeiro, who is also the deputy UN envoy to Libya, said late Sunday. She was speaking after air raids by the LNA on Tripoli on Saturday killed four people and wounded 20 others, according to the GNA. "We continue to call for a respect of civilians, we continue to call for humanitarian pauses and most of all we continue to hope that the situation can return to a more peaceful settlement of the crisis," she said. The fighting has killed at least 278 people and wounded more than 1,300, according to a toll released Wednesday by the World Health Organization. It has also forced 41,000 people to flee combat areas around Tripoli, do Valle Ribeiro said, while many remain trapped and in need of humanitarian assistance. Migrants at risk Among the most vulnerable are about 3,500 migrants and refugees held in detention centres near the combat zone who are at "risk", the UN official said. She said that 800 considered most in danger had been evacuated after the UN and rights groups said gunmen attacked a detention centre south of Tripoli last week. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said several migrants and refugees were shot and wounded in the attack. Libya has been mired in chaos since the NATO-backed uprising that deposed and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. People smugglers have taken advantage of the lawlessness, ferrying mostly sub-Saharan Africans from Libyan shores to Europe. According to the International Organisation for Migration, some 6,000 migrants are held in official detention centres in Libya. Hundreds more are held by armed groups elsewhere in the war-hit country. On Sunday Pope Francis called for "humanitarian corridors" to be opened to evacuate them. The UN official also voiced concern over a breakdown in basic services, including electricity and water supplies, and said more relief funds were needed for Libya. "We appealed for an additional 10.2 million (dollars) which doesn't cover all that we foresee... but it covers at least the essential response for the first three, four weeks," she said. During the first week of fighting, she said, "over a million schoolbooks" that were stored in a warehouse of the ministry of education were destroyed when the compound was hit. "Symbolically, it says a lot about the impact of such strife and clashes on not just the immediate survival of people but on the future of Tripoli children."

United Nations warns of worsening humanitarian situation in Libya

Two years after a deal to form a unity government aimed at ending deep divisions between Libya&#39;s opposing sides, the country remains mired in crisis with no solution in sight.&nbsp;The UN-brokered agreement signed in Morocco in December 2015 establishing a Government of National Accord (GNA) &nbsp;brought hopes of an easing of chaos that followed the 2011 revolution.

But Libya has remained riven by divisions between the GNA in Tripoli led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and a rival administration backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar in the east.&nbsp;The GNA&#39;s position risks being further undermined by the expiry of its mandate -- which under the 2015 accord was for one year and renewable only once -- on December 17.

Instead of healing rifts, experts say the deal actually deepened tensions in the North African country.&nbsp;&quot;I think it has never been the real solution for the country&quot;, said Federica Saini Fasanotti, an analyst with the Washington-based Brookings Institution.

The agreement &quot;has never been recognised by the Libyan people&quot;, she added.&nbsp;Years of political turmoil have followed the overthrow and killing of Libya&#39;s long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi in the 2011 revolution.&nbsp;

People-smugglers took advantage of the chaos to turn the country into a major gateway for migrants heading to Europe, while Islamic State group jihadists also established a foothold.&nbsp;Underscoring the insecurity plaguing the country, the mayor of Libya&#39;s third-largest city Misrata was killed by unidentified assailants who abducted him on Sunday as he returned from an official trip overseas.

&#39;Dangerous turning point&#39;

Since its arrival in Tripoli in March 2016, the GNA has failed to stamp its authority across large parts of the country, controlled by dozens of militias of shifting allegiances.&nbsp;Its legitimacy was questioned from the very start by its rivals and it was unable to secure a confidence vote by Libya&#39;s elected parliament based in the east of the country.

Haftar, who has never recognised the GNA&#39;s authority, said on Sunday that the &quot;expiry of the Libyan political accord&quot; on December 17 marked a &quot;historic and dangerous turning point&quot;.&nbsp;&quot;All bodies resulting from this agreement automatically lose their legitimacy, which has been contested from the first day they took office&quot;, he said.

Saini Fasanotti, however, does not see major repercussions from the end of the GNA&#39;s mandate.&nbsp;&quot;The GNA, in my opinion, has never been a real political actor in Libya, so I do not think that the situation will change a lot at the moment in the Libya arena&quot;, she said.

Haftar is accused by his opponents of wanting to take power and establish a military dictatorship.&nbsp;Haftar wanted to take advantage of the end of the mandate of the unity government to stage &quot;a coup&quot;, a GNA official who did not want to be named told AFP.

&quot;But threats that were directly addressed to him by the international community dissuaded him&quot;, the official added.&nbsp;Haftar acknowledged as much on Sunday, saying he was &quot;threatened with firm international measures&quot; if he dared to take initiatives outside the framework set up by the international community and the United Nations.

The UN Security Council last week insisted the 2015 deal remains the &quot;only viable framework to end the Libyan political crisis&quot; and prepare for elections.

&#39;Double edge weapon&#39;

According to Issandr El Amrani at the International Crisis Group (ICG) think-tank, Haftar does not have &quot;sufficient strength or support&quot; to take power in Libya.&nbsp;&quot;He faces particularly strong opposition from (rivals in) the west, he said, especially in Misrata&quot;, 200 kilometers east of Tripoli and home to Libya&#39;s most powerful armed groups.

UN envoy Ghassan Salame presented a plan to the UN Security Council in September to hold legislative and presidential elections next year.&nbsp;Analysts are however sceptical the elections will be successful.&nbsp;

&quot;Elections can be a double edge weapon because they can increase the frictions among the competitors and their followers. I am not sure that at this very moment they are the best solution&quot;, Saini Fasanotti said.&nbsp;The ICG&#39;s Amrani believes that &quot;without an improvement in the relationship between Haftar and (groups in) the west, especially Misrata, it will be difficult to hold credible elections&quot;. 
&nbsp;

The UN-brokered agreement signed in Morocco in December 2015 established a Government of National Accord (GNA) but Libya has remained riven by divisions between the GNA in Tripoli led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and a rival administration backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar in the east

Two years after a deal to form a unity government aimed at ending deep divisions between Libya's opposing sides, the country remains mired in crisis with no solution in sight. The UN-brokered agreement signed in Morocco in December 2015 establishing a Government of National Accord (GNA) brought hopes of an easing of chaos that followed the 2011 revolution. But Libya has remained riven by divisions between the GNA in Tripoli led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and a rival administration backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar in the east. The GNA's position risks being further undermined by the expiry of its mandate -- which under the 2015 accord was for one year and renewable only once -- on December 17. Instead of healing rifts, experts say the deal actually deepened tensions in the North African country. "I think it has never been the real solution for the country", said Federica Saini Fasanotti, an analyst with the Washington-based Brookings Institution. The agreement "has never been recognised by the Libyan people", she added. Years of political turmoil have followed the overthrow and killing of Libya's long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi in the 2011 revolution. People-smugglers took advantage of the chaos to turn the country into a major gateway for migrants heading to Europe, while Islamic State group jihadists also established a foothold. Underscoring the insecurity plaguing the country, the mayor of Libya's third-largest city Misrata was killed by unidentified assailants who abducted him on Sunday as he returned from an official trip overseas. 'Dangerous turning point' Since its arrival in Tripoli in March 2016, the GNA has failed to stamp its authority across large parts of the country, controlled by dozens of militias of shifting allegiances. Its legitimacy was questioned from the very start by its rivals and it was unable to secure a confidence vote by Libya's elected parliament based in the east of the country. Haftar, who has never recognised the GNA's authority, said on Sunday that the "expiry of the Libyan political accord" on December 17 marked a "historic and dangerous turning point". "All bodies resulting from this agreement automatically lose their legitimacy, which has been contested from the first day they took office", he said. Saini Fasanotti, however, does not see major repercussions from the end of the GNA's mandate. "The GNA, in my opinion, has never been a real political actor in Libya, so I do not think that the situation will change a lot at the moment in the Libya arena", she said. Haftar is accused by his opponents of wanting to take power and establish a military dictatorship. Haftar wanted to take advantage of the end of the mandate of the unity government to stage "a coup", a GNA official who did not want to be named told AFP. "But threats that were directly addressed to him by the international community dissuaded him", the official added. Haftar acknowledged as much on Sunday, saying he was "threatened with firm international measures" if he dared to take initiatives outside the framework set up by the international community and the United Nations. The UN Security Council last week insisted the 2015 deal remains the "only viable framework to end the Libyan political crisis" and prepare for elections. 'Double edge weapon' According to Issandr El Amrani at the International Crisis Group (ICG) think-tank, Haftar does not have "sufficient strength or support" to take power in Libya. "He faces particularly strong opposition from (rivals in) the west, he said, especially in Misrata", 200 kilometers east of Tripoli and home to Libya's most powerful armed groups. UN envoy Ghassan Salame presented a plan to the UN Security Council in September to hold legislative and presidential elections next year. Analysts are however sceptical the elections will be successful. "Elections can be a double edge weapon because they can increase the frictions among the competitors and their followers. I am not sure that at this very moment they are the best solution", Saini Fasanotti said. The ICG's Amrani believes that "without an improvement in the relationship between Haftar and (groups in) the west, especially Misrata, it will be difficult to hold credible elections".

Libya in grip of chaos two years after unity deal

Libya&#39;s internationally recognised parliament yesterday voted no confidence in a UN-backed unity government, in a blow to efforts to end the country&#39;s political chaos. 
 
But lawmakers gave prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj a 10-day deadline to come up with a new unity government line-up, they said in a statement issued later. 
 
The Government of National Accord led by Sarraj is struggling to assert its authority in Libya, which has been riven by turmoil since the 2011 overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi. 
 
National support for the GNA is seen as crucial to restoring stability and to tackling the Libyan branch of the Islamic State group, which pro-GNA forces are battling in the jihadists&#39; coastal stronghold of Sirte. But at a session on Monday, the House of Representatives, Libya&#39;s recognised legislature based in the far east, refused to give its support to the GNA. 
 
&quot;The majority of lawmakers present at the parliament session voted no confidence in the government,&quot; said parliament spokesman Adam Boussakhra. 
 
Parliament speaker Aguila Saleh as well as 101 lawmakers attended Monday&#39;s vote, the assembly said on its website. Sixty-one parliamentarians rejected the GNA, it said, 39 abstained from voting and a lone parliamentarian voted confidence in the government. 
 
The unity government was the result of a UN-brokered power-sharing deal struck in December, but has struggled to unite the North African country and fully assert its authority. A rival government in the east has refused to cede power until the House of Representatives passes a vote of confidence, which has been repeatedly delayed including over a lack of quorum. 
 
Monday&#39;s vote was &quot;the first time quorum has been reached in five months,&quot; Boussakhra said. After one such vote postponement in February, 100 lawmakers in the 198-member legislature said they supported the GNA but had faced intimidation. 
 
&#39;Last chance&#39; 
 
The parliament, in a statement approved by lawmakers who attended yesterday&#39;s session, gave Sarraj a &quot;last chance&quot; to present a new line-up for a unity government within 10 days. It called for &quot;a consensus between members of the presidential council&quot; of the GNA headed by Sarraj to select no more than eight to 12 candidates for the new cabinet. 
 
Sarraj named a cabinet of 18 ministers in February, and four of them were dismissed last month because they never took office. 
 
Mattia Toaldo, a Libya expert with the European Council on Foreign Relations, warned yesterday&#39;s vote could lead to &quot;a new institutional crisis&quot; in the war-wracked country and called for &quot;immediate international mediation&quot;. 
 
&quot;We will have to see if Sarraj and the members of the (House of Representatives) who support him will accept the legitimacy of the vote,&quot; he said. 
 
The GNA last month moved into its official Tripoli offices, more than 100 days after starting to work from a naval base in the capital. 
 
Since the prime minister-designate arrived in Tripoli on March 30, the GNA has won the loyalty of the central bank and national oil corporation - depositors of the country&#39;s wealth -- as well as cities and armed groups in western Libya. And Sarraj&#39;s government has managed to gather forces who since May 12 have been battling to kick IS out of Sirte east of the capital. 
 
Pro-GNA fighters, backed by US air strikes, have recaptured more ground from jihadists holed up in the centre of Sirte in recent days. 
 
The jihadists seized control of Sirte, Kadhafi&#39;s hometown, in June 2015, raising fears they would use the city as a springboard for attacks across the Mediterranean in Europe. 
 
Libya descended into chaos after the 2011 revolution that toppled and killed Kadhafi, with rival authorities vying for control of the country. 
 
The House of Representatives has been based in the eastern city of Tobruk since a militia alliance including Islamists seized the capital in mid-2014. More than 2.4 million people in Libya are in need of humanitarian assistance, the UN said on Friday. 
 
(AFP)

Lawmakers have given prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj a 10-day deadline to come up with a new unity government line-up

Libya's internationally recognised parliament yesterday voted no confidence in a UN-backed unity government, in a blow to efforts to end the country's political chaos. But lawmakers gave prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj a 10-day deadline to come up with a new unity government line-up, they said in a statement issued later. The Government of National Accord led by Sarraj is struggling to assert its authority in Libya, which has been riven by turmoil since the 2011 overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi. National support for the GNA is seen as crucial to restoring stability and to tackling the Libyan branch of the Islamic State group, which pro-GNA forces are battling in the jihadists' coastal stronghold of Sirte. But at a session on Monday, the House of Representatives, Libya's recognised legislature based in the far east, refused to give its support to the GNA. "The majority of lawmakers present at the parliament session voted no confidence in the government," said parliament spokesman Adam Boussakhra. Parliament speaker Aguila Saleh as well as 101 lawmakers attended Monday's vote, the assembly said on its website. Sixty-one parliamentarians rejected the GNA, it said, 39 abstained from voting and a lone parliamentarian voted confidence in the government. The unity government was the result of a UN-brokered power-sharing deal struck in December, but has struggled to unite the North African country and fully assert its authority. A rival government in the east has refused to cede power until the House of Representatives passes a vote of confidence, which has been repeatedly delayed including over a lack of quorum. Monday's vote was "the first time quorum has been reached in five months," Boussakhra said. After one such vote postponement in February, 100 lawmakers in the 198-member legislature said they supported the GNA but had faced intimidation. 'Last chance' The parliament, in a statement approved by lawmakers who attended yesterday's session, gave Sarraj a "last chance" to present a new line-up for a unity government within 10 days. It called for "a consensus between members of the presidential council" of the GNA headed by Sarraj to select no more than eight to 12 candidates for the new cabinet. Sarraj named a cabinet of 18 ministers in February, and four of them were dismissed last month because they never took office. Mattia Toaldo, a Libya expert with the European Council on Foreign Relations, warned yesterday's vote could lead to "a new institutional crisis" in the war-wracked country and called for "immediate international mediation". "We will have to see if Sarraj and the members of the (House of Representatives) who support him will accept the legitimacy of the vote," he said. The GNA last month moved into its official Tripoli offices, more than 100 days after starting to work from a naval base in the capital. Since the prime minister-designate arrived in Tripoli on March 30, the GNA has won the loyalty of the central bank and national oil corporation - depositors of the country's wealth -- as well as cities and armed groups in western Libya. And Sarraj's government has managed to gather forces who since May 12 have been battling to kick IS out of Sirte east of the capital. Pro-GNA fighters, backed by US air strikes, have recaptured more ground from jihadists holed up in the centre of Sirte in recent days. The jihadists seized control of Sirte, Kadhafi's hometown, in June 2015, raising fears they would use the city as a springboard for attacks across the Mediterranean in Europe. Libya descended into chaos after the 2011 revolution that toppled and killed Kadhafi, with rival authorities vying for control of the country. The House of Representatives has been based in the eastern city of Tobruk since a militia alliance including Islamists seized the capital in mid-2014. More than 2.4 million people in Libya are in need of humanitarian assistance, the UN said on Friday. (AFP)

Libya parliament rejects UN-backed unity government

Forces loyal to Libya&#39;s unity government said today they had seized a building used by the Islamic State group to manufacture explosives in its coastal stronghold. 
 
The bomb factory is the largest to be captured by fighters allied with the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) since they launched an operation to retake Sirte in May, the forces said on Facebook. 
 
They said the building was in the southeast of Sirte, the hometown of slain dictator Muammar Gaddafi which IS has controlled since June 2015. 
 
The pro-GNA forces shared images of the building including several rooms containing explosive devices, cables and mobile phones. 
 
The fall of Sirte, 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli, will be a major blow to IS, which has faced a series of setbacks in Syria and Iraq. 
 
The two-month battle for Sirte has killed around 280 pro-government fighters and wounded more than 1,500, according to medical sources at the unity forces&#39; command centre. 
 
The pro-GNA forces are mostly made up of militias from western Libya established during the 2011 revolt that overthrew Gaddafi. 
 
A militia set up to guard the country&#39;s main oil facilities has also been advancing on IS. 
 
The GNA was the result of a UN-brokered power-sharing agreement struck in December, but it has yet to be endorsed by Libya&#39;s elected Parliament based in the country&#39;s far east. 
 
(AFP)

It is the largest to be captured by fighters allied with the government of national accord since they launched an operation to retake Sirte

Forces loyal to Libya's unity government said today they had seized a building used by the Islamic State group to manufacture explosives in its coastal stronghold. The bomb factory is the largest to be captured by fighters allied with the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) since they launched an operation to retake Sirte in May, the forces said on Facebook. They said the building was in the southeast of Sirte, the hometown of slain dictator Muammar Gaddafi which IS has controlled since June 2015. The pro-GNA forces shared images of the building including several rooms containing explosive devices, cables and mobile phones. The fall of Sirte, 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli, will be a major blow to IS, which has faced a series of setbacks in Syria and Iraq. The two-month battle for Sirte has killed around 280 pro-government fighters and wounded more than 1,500, according to medical sources at the unity forces' command centre. The pro-GNA forces are mostly made up of militias from western Libya established during the 2011 revolt that overthrew Gaddafi. A militia set up to guard the country's main oil facilities has also been advancing on IS. The GNA was the result of a UN-brokered power-sharing agreement struck in December, but it has yet to be endorsed by Libya's elected Parliament based in the country's far east. (AFP)

Libyan loyalists seize Islamic State bomb factory

Forces aligned with Libya&#39;s unity government said they had taken control of the port of Sirte, making further gains in Islamic State&#39;s North African stronghold. 
 
Brigades, largely composed of fighters from Misrata, advanced this week to the perimeter of Sirte&#39;s city centre after launching a counter attack against the Islamic State last month and driving the militant group back along the coastal road between the two cities. 
 
The brigades are part of an operation supported by Libya&#39;s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which arrived in Tripoli in March and has been gradually working to establish its authority. 
 
Western powers see it as the best bet for trying to unite Libya&#39;s political and armed factions against the Islamic State and for restoring some stability in the oil-rich North African country. 
 
A source from the operations room in Misrata said fighters from the front line in the south of Sirte had looped round to the seafront to capture the port, which lies about 5 km (3 miles) east of the city centre. 
 
The brigades have advanced more swiftly than many expected, though their progress has been hampered by suicide bombers, mines and snipers. 
 
Clashes in Sirte on Friday left 11 brigade members dead and 35 wounded, the operations room source said. More than 100 fighters from the GNA-backed brigades have been killed and more than 500 wounded since the campaign to recapture Sirte began in early May. 
 
The Islamic State started expanding into Libya in 2014 as the political turmoil and conflict in the country worsened. It took full control of Sirte last year, but has struggled to retain territory or win support elsewhere in Libya. 
 
As the brigades based in Misrata have advanced on Sirte from the west, a separate force that controls some of Libya&#39;s key oil terminals and is also aligned with the GNA has pushed Islamic State back from the east.&nbsp;

Over 100 government fighters have been killed and more than 500 injured since the campaign to recapture the city began in early May

Forces aligned with Libya's unity government said they had taken control of the port of Sirte, making further gains in Islamic State's North African stronghold. Brigades, largely composed of fighters from Misrata, advanced this week to the perimeter of Sirte's city centre after launching a counter attack against the Islamic State last month and driving the militant group back along the coastal road between the two cities. The brigades are part of an operation supported by Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which arrived in Tripoli in March and has been gradually working to establish its authority. Western powers see it as the best bet for trying to unite Libya's political and armed factions against the Islamic State and for restoring some stability in the oil-rich North African country. A source from the operations room in Misrata said fighters from the front line in the south of Sirte had looped round to the seafront to capture the port, which lies about 5 km (3 miles) east of the city centre. The brigades have advanced more swiftly than many expected, though their progress has been hampered by suicide bombers, mines and snipers. Clashes in Sirte on Friday left 11 brigade members dead and 35 wounded, the operations room source said. More than 100 fighters from the GNA-backed brigades have been killed and more than 500 wounded since the campaign to recapture Sirte began in early May. The Islamic State started expanding into Libya in 2014 as the political turmoil and conflict in the country worsened. It took full control of Sirte last year, but has struggled to retain territory or win support elsewhere in Libya. As the brigades based in Misrata have advanced on Sirte from the west, a separate force that controls some of Libya's key oil terminals and is also aligned with the GNA has pushed Islamic State back from the east.

Libyan forces claim Sirte port from Islamic State