The Supreme Council of State in Libya called on the Presidential Council, in its capacity as the supreme commander of the army, to put an end to the violations and aggressive behavior of the Dignity terrorist groups, as he put it.
The Supreme Council of the State also called on the international community to abandon the policy of double standards and to completely lift its hand from the retired Major General Khalifa Haftar, and to work with legitimate institutions and official authorities only in respect of Libyan national sovereignty. Read also After Dabaiba’s statements to Al-Jazeera, where is Haftar’s position in the Libyan equation? Haftar, the mercenaries, the elections and the maritime borders … the head of the Libyan unity government speaks to Al Jazeera A failed adventure and a belated awakening.. Will Egypt succeed in curbing Haftar and the UAE in Libya?
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He pointed out that “whenever the Libyans approach a comprehensive political settlement, Haftar exhibits escalatory behavior, signals and a wave of force and the language of arms, in defiance of the people’s desire for peace and stability,” according to the statement.
On Saturday, retired Major General Khalifa Haftar organized a military parade that raised new questions and controversy, at a time when Libya is heading to stability after choosing a presidential council and a government of national unity seeking to extend its control over all parts of the country.
The military parade was held in Benghazi (eastern Libya) in the absence of senior state officials in the Presidential Council and the National Unity Government, in addition to the absence of the Speaker of Parliament, Agila Saleh, despite the invitation to them.
The Supreme Council of State considered Haftar’s military parade “a reflection of a feverish desire to seize power by force, even if the price is very high,” according to the statement.
Commenting on Haftar’s review, Abdullah Al-Lafi, Vice President of the Presidency Council, said earlier that the Council has repeatedly stressed the avoidance of any unilateral actions of a military nature from any party, including maneuvers, field movements, press statements from the military, and military parades. That may lead to war again.
Al-Lafi stressed that any party’s unilateral behavior will give justification to other parties for similar behavior. This could lead to obstructing the political process and threatening peace and security.
And he called for an immediate cessation of everything that would prejudice this path after taking unilateral, incalculable steps, appealing to the countries sponsoring the ceasefire agreement and the UN mission in Libya to play an active and effective role to avoid any developments.
The Presidential Council, in its capacity as the supreme commander of the Libyan army, did not issue – according to the outcomes of the Political Dialogue Forum – any official statement regarding its position on the military review.