Libya’s Haftar Urges His Forces to ‘Inflict Harder Lesson’ on Opponents

Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar urged his forces to inflict "an even harder" lesson on the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and its loyalist militias.

The LNA had launched on April 4 an offensive to liberate Tripoli from terrorist and criminal gangs.

"Officers and soldiers of our armed forces and affiliates, I greet you during these glorious days and call on you to inflict on the enemy, with your force and determination, an even harder and bigger lesson than before," Haftar wrote in a message to his troops late on Sunday.

"We know you can do it... (and) uproot it (the opposing forces) from our beloved country," the message added, read out by LNA spokesman General Ahmad al-Mismari.

Haftar's message also urged his men that "in the event of retreat by the enemy, troops should pursue it with speed and force, prevent it from fleeing and wipe it out".

"Air forces should follow up" the action of troops on the ground, he added.

"Respect the lives of citizens and their goods. Carry out the orders of this letter and those of your superiors", the message went on.

Haftar’s message came just a few hours after the UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called for "an extendable one-week humanitarian truce”.

Since April 4, the fighting between the LNA and forces loyal to the GNA has killed at least 392 people, wounded 1,936 and displaced more than 55,000, according to the UN.