LNA Accuses Qatar, Turkey of Seeking to Sabotage Libyan Peace Process
The Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, renewed its accusations against Qatar and Turkey on seeking to thwart the UN-sponsored peace process in Libya.
LNA’s Director of the Moral Guidance Department Major General Khaled Al-Mahjoub denied military movements on the Sirte and Jufra lines, and stated that the LNA is committed to the ceasefire agreement.
He explained that Qatar and Turkey are trying to sabotage the ceasefire, by supporting militias.
Al-Mahjoub added that some formations affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood are trying to obstruct the ceasefire agreement.
The accusation came as the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) signed a new military agreement with Qatar.
GNA Defense Minister Salahudin al-Namroush announced the deal after holding a meeting with the Qatari interior and defense ministers in Doha.
Namroush, during the meeting, discussed developments in the Libyan crisis and Doha’s role in boosting the war-torn country’s security and stability.
Although he did not give details about the new military agreement, Namroush said it included a protocol for cooperation in training and capacity building.
Local media and sources close to the LNA, however, reported that the deal gives Qatar military foothold and logistics assistance at GNA military bases inside Libya, especially at facilities located in the western city of Misrata.
Footage released by Namroush’s office showed the defense minister standing next to Qatari Special Forces officer Hamad Abdullah Bin Fatees al-Meri, a key player in the ouster of the Gaddafi regime in 2011.
Namroush was also seen giving al-Meri a souvenir after touring the headquarters of the Qatari Joint Special Forces.
This is the first media appearance for al-Meri, who was last seen in August in Tripoli when a Turkish-Qatari delegation was visiting.
In other news, the LNA-run Burkan al-Ghadab operation command released satellite imaging that detected construction works at al-Jufra Airbase. Russian Wagner group mercenaries are believed to be digging tunnels and establishing new observation posts at the base.
Construction at the airbase dates back to September.
