"As of now, the streets of the city are empty. It seems that almost all residents have chosen to leave the city. Several areas are already occupied by the LNA forces, for example, Janzur and Al-Swani, which are in the south-west of Tripoli. No clashes have taken place yet, only a few minor attacks from gangs along the way [of the Haftar army divisions] to Tripoli", the source said.
The news comes after media reported on Thursday that the LNA commander had ordered an offensive on Tripoli, controlled by the UN-supported interim Government of National Accord (GNA) after his army took control over cities of Surman and Garyan.
On March 20, the United Nations announced that it would sponsor a conference in Ghadames on April 14-16 to address the crisis in Libya and set a date for the long-awaited elections that could restore peace and security for the nation.
As a result of a years-long civil conflict that erupted following a rebellion and murder of the ex-head of state Muammar Gaddafi, there is no single central government in Libya, and the country's eastern and western parts are controlled by separate powers. The Tobruk-based parliament, elected in 2014 and backed by the LNA, governs the east of Libya, while the GNA, established in 2015, controls Libya's western parts from Tripoli.
Middle East Monitor reports that forces of the retired General Khalifa Haftar moved units to the west of Libya, claiming: “We want Tripoli for dignity,” which pushed the Government of National Accord to be vigilant. This move coincides with the arrival of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to the capital Tripoli and the preparation for a national dialogue.
The Information Office of Eastern Libya forces led by Haftar said on Wednesday that orders were issued to troops to move to the west of the country to fight the remaining “terrorist groups.” A spokesman for the forces of Haftar, Ahmed Al-Mesmari, said: “We do not want Tripoli for a post, power, or money. We want Tripoli for dignity. We want Tripoli for the prestige of this country.”
Pages on the networking sites belonging to Haftar forces also published pictures of military convoys in an unknown area.
The Government of National Accord in Tripoli, a UN recognised government, announced the general alert for all military and security forces after the movement of Haftar forces.
Residents of the oil town of Ras Lanuf (East) said that they saw tanks and heavy-armed vehicles heading west.
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