UN-recognized Libyan admin rejects unilateral truce

The U.N.-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya on April 30 said it rejected the unilateral truce call made by its arch-enemy, renegade commander Khalifa Haftar -- the warlord of the armed forces based in the east. 

The GNA issued a statement regarding Haftar's truce call for the Ramadan period, saying the U.N.-recognized administration previously accepted the ceasefire calls made by the international community. 

But the GNA said that Haftar side repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreements and the latest call was "nothing more than a deception attempt", adding that the warlord sought to benefit from the coronavirus outbreak with which the GNA has been dealing with. 

Stressing that a permanent ceasefire would be possible under auspices of the U.N. and international community, the GNA added that it would respond to the acts threatening the lives of Libyans.   

The GNA conducted five air operations targeting militants loyal to renegade commander Khalifa Haftar at Al-Watiya airbase southwest of the capital Tripoli, a local official said early on May 1.

Al-Watiya is regarded as a key airbase in the country and is second only to Mitiga Airport. It was captured in August 2014 by Haftar, the leader of illegally armed forces in eastern Libya, who used it as his headquarters for western operations.

"The operation targeted Haftar's forces and military ammunition," GNA military spokesman Mohammed Qanunu said in a statement.

As part of Operation Peace Storm, air operations are being periodically carried out against the base, which is mostly controlled by Haftar's militias.

Airstrikes on military convoy

Earlier, the Libyan government carried out six airstrikes on a military convoy...

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