Libyan eastern forces loyal to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-asks-russia-to-get-libyan-general-to-accept-truce-273642">commander Khalifa Haftar</a> announced on Saturday a ceasefire in the western region, which includes the capital Tripoli, starting 00:01 a.m. on Sunday (22:01 GMT) and the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) agreed to the truce.

Since April, Libyan National Army <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-haftar-forces-seize-large-parts-of-sirte-city-272759">forces loyal to Haftar</a> have been waging a campaign to take Tripoli, where they are battling forces aligned with the GNA.

In a statement posted online early on Sunday, the Tripoli based GNA said: "In response to the Turkish president and the Russian president's call for a ceasefire, the head of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord announces a ceasefire starting 00:00 on Jan. 12."

While the LNA had on Thursday rebuffed a call by Turkey and Russia for a ceasefire in a conflict that is drawing increasing foreign involvement and concern, LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari said in a video statement late on Saturday that the LNA accepted a truce in the west "provided that the other party abides by the ceasefire."

He warned that "any breach will be met with a harsh response".

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) welcomed the truce and urged the warring parties "to strictly abide by the ceasefire and make a room for peaceful efforts to address all disputes through a Libyan-Libyan dialogue".

Turkey backs the Tripoli-based GNA headed by Fayez al-Serraj, while Russian military contractors have been deployed alongside the eastern forces.

A senior GNA official said on Thursday that it welcomed any credible ceasefire proposal but had a duty to protect Libyans from Haftar's offensive.

Any ceasefire will likely be hard to uphold after a recent escalation in fighting around Tripoli and the strategic coastal city of Sirte and given the fractious, loose nature of Libya’s military alliances.

Forces loyal to Haftar said this week they had taken control of Sirte in a rapid advance preceded by air strikes.

Earlier on Saturday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Libyan peace talks will be held in Berlin, adding that Libya's warring parties would need to play a major role to help find a solution.

Libyan eastern forces loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar announced on Saturday a ceasefire in the western region, which includes the capital Tripoli, starting 00:01 a.

Libyan eastern forces loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar announced on Saturday a ceasefire in the western region, which includes the capital Tripoli, starting 00:01 a.m. on Sunday (22:01 GMT) and the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) agreed to the truce. Since April, Libyan National Army forces loyal to Haftar have been waging a campaign to take Tripoli, where they are battling forces aligned with the GNA. In a statement posted online early on Sunday, the Tripoli based GNA said: "In response to the Turkish president and the Russian president's call for a ceasefire, the head of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord announces a ceasefire starting 00:00 on Jan. 12." While the LNA had on Thursday rebuffed a call by Turkey and Russia for a ceasefire in a conflict that is drawing increasing foreign involvement and concern, LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari said in a video statement late on Saturday that the LNA accepted a truce in the west "provided that the other party abides by the ceasefire." He warned that "any breach will be met with a harsh response". The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) welcomed the truce and urged the warring parties "to strictly abide by the ceasefire and make a room for peaceful efforts to address all disputes through a Libyan-Libyan dialogue". Turkey backs the Tripoli-based GNA headed by Fayez al-Serraj, while Russian military contractors have been deployed alongside the eastern forces. A senior GNA official said on Thursday that it welcomed any credible ceasefire proposal but had a duty to protect Libyans from Haftar's offensive. Any ceasefire will likely be hard to uphold after a recent escalation in fighting around Tripoli and the strategic coastal city of Sirte and given the fractious, loose nature of Libya’s military alliances. Forces loyal to Haftar said this week they had taken control of Sirte in a rapid advance preceded by air strikes. Earlier on Saturday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Libyan peace talks will be held in Berlin, adding that Libya's warring parties would need to play a major role to help find a solution.

Libyan forces loyal to Haftar announce ceasefire, GNA agrees to truce

Libyan forces said today they had edged further into the centre of Sirte as they seek to recapture the city from Islamic State, following heavy battles until late the previous evening that left dozens dead. 
 
Forces aligned with Libya&#39;s United Nations-backed government in Tripoli advanced rapidly on Islamic State&#39;s Libyan stronghold in May, but have faced lethal resistance from snipers, suicide bombers and mines as they have closed in on the city centre. 
 
Sirte had been under the complete control of Islamic State since last year, becoming its most important base outside Syria and Iraq, and its loss would be a major setback for the group.&nbsp;After a lull in fighting earlier this week, the government-backed forces launched a fresh assault on several fronts in Sirte, after first pounding Islamic State positions with artillery and air strikes. 
 
The brigades, made up mainly of fighters from the western city of Misrata, said in a statement that they had captured a hotel on the eastern front line used by Islamic State snipers, and also taken control of part of the &quot;Dollar&quot; neighbourhood. 
 
They said they had foiled three attempted car bomb attacks and destroyed an armoured vehicle. A Reuters witness saw a tank belonging to the brigades being blown up, though it was not clear what caused the explosion.&nbsp;He said shelling continued late into Thursday night, but it was quiet today morning. 
 
Nearly 50 bodies of Islamic State fighters killed during Thursday&#39;s clashes were counted, the statement from the government-backed forces said. At least 22 brigade members were killed and 175 wounded, according to Misrata&#39;s central hospital. 
 
Since the campaign for Sirte began in May, more than 300 fighters from the brigades have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded, a spokesman for the forces said. 
 
Islamic State expanded into Libya amid the political chaos and security vacuum that developed after long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in an uprising in 2011.&nbsp;The group extended its presence along about 250 kilometres of Libya&#39;s coastline, but failed to win and retain territory elsewhere in the country. 
 
(Reuters)

The government-backed forces have taken control of a part of 'Dollar' neighbourhood. The city has been under control of IS since last year

Libyan forces said today they had edged further into the centre of Sirte as they seek to recapture the city from Islamic State, following heavy battles until late the previous evening that left dozens dead. Forces aligned with Libya's United Nations-backed government in Tripoli advanced rapidly on Islamic State's Libyan stronghold in May, but have faced lethal resistance from snipers, suicide bombers and mines as they have closed in on the city centre. Sirte had been under the complete control of Islamic State since last year, becoming its most important base outside Syria and Iraq, and its loss would be a major setback for the group. After a lull in fighting earlier this week, the government-backed forces launched a fresh assault on several fronts in Sirte, after first pounding Islamic State positions with artillery and air strikes. The brigades, made up mainly of fighters from the western city of Misrata, said in a statement that they had captured a hotel on the eastern front line used by Islamic State snipers, and also taken control of part of the "Dollar" neighbourhood. They said they had foiled three attempted car bomb attacks and destroyed an armoured vehicle. A Reuters witness saw a tank belonging to the brigades being blown up, though it was not clear what caused the explosion. He said shelling continued late into Thursday night, but it was quiet today morning. Nearly 50 bodies of Islamic State fighters killed during Thursday's clashes were counted, the statement from the government-backed forces said. At least 22 brigade members were killed and 175 wounded, according to Misrata's central hospital. Since the campaign for Sirte began in May, more than 300 fighters from the brigades have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded, a spokesman for the forces said. Islamic State expanded into Libya amid the political chaos and security vacuum that developed after long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in an uprising in 2011. The group extended its presence along about 250 kilometres of Libya's coastline, but failed to win and retain territory elsewhere in the country. (Reuters)

Libyan forces claim gains in fierce fight against Islamic State in Sirte

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Libyan forces loyal to Haftar announce ceasefire, GNA agrees to truce

Libyan forces claim gains in fierce fight against Islamic State in Sirte