Libyan National Army announces full liberation of Benghzi

Eastern Libyan forces have retaken from Islamist fighters the last district of Benghazi, the country’s second largest city, military officials said.

The battle for Benghazi, waged between forces led by General Khalifa Haftar and an array of Islamist militants and other fighters, has been part of a broader conflict since Libya slipped into turmoil following the 2011 fall of strongman Muammar Gaddafi.

Haftar had declared victory in July but fighting continued in one area, Khreibish. Commander Wanis Bukhamada, head of army special forces, said the eastern forces now fully controlled the district. “We declare in this moment the liberation of Benghazi from terrorists,” he told Reuters.

Haftar launched his “Operation Dignity” campaign in May 2014, slowly gaining the upper hand against Islamist militants and former rebels who fought Gaddafi in the 2011 uprising.

Haftar is aligned with a government and parliament based in eastern Libya. He has rejected a U.N.-backed government based in the capital, Tripoli, and indicated he wants to run for president in an election expected next year.

He is popular with some in the east tired of chaos but he remains a divisive figure in the rest of the North African oil-producing nation.

On the political side, Libyan army spokesperson Ahmed al-Mesmari said on Monday that Libyan leadership welcomes international election monitoring provided that fairness, judicial supervision and international control are in place. 

"Libyan National Army leadership, headed by commander Khalifa Haftar will not seek the presidency in the upcoming elections, instead they are in search of civilian leadership who can provide stability and security in Libya," said Mesmari when speaking to Libyan newspaper Al-Marsad. 

On Sunday, Haftar announced the end of the Libyan Skhirat Agreement and said he does not recognize any decisions issued by the political bodies linked to it, in reference to the Government of National Accord (GNA). 

"The discussion between Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Angelino Alfano and Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya Faiez Mustafa Serraj confirmed that a military solution in Libya is not an option," said Libyan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mohamed Siala. 

"The solution in Libya is political; building on the efforts of the U.N. and its envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame as well as the technical preparation for the election," added Siala, describing the visit as “fruitful and productive”. 

Italian Minister Angelino Alfano stated that Italy has always supported Libya, indicating that reopening the Italian Embassy in Libya was a very important political investment. 

Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya announced that the country will hold its presidential and legislative elections in March 2018. He also called for all Libyans to unite in order to re-build their state. 

Since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, many armed entities have fought to gain control over Libya. The country is currently in a power struggle between the internationally recognized government of Al-Wefaq (Political Party) in Tripoli and the "interim government”, supported by Haftar's forces.