Libya: High alert in Tripoli after renegade leader orders advance

[TomSea]

Libya: High alert in Tripoli after renegade leader orders advance

Libya's internationally-backed government is deploying forces in and around the capital, Tripoli, after renegade General Khalifa Haftar on Thursday ordered his eastern military forces to advance on the city, sparking fears of a major showdown with rival militias.

The UN Security Council has called for an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the escalation in Libya's years-long power struggle, as a number of foreign powers urged restraint.

Earlier on Friday, the AFP news agency reported that some troops of Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) were pushed back from a security barrier by a militia in Zawiya, fewer than 30km from the capital. 

Read more at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/04/chief-deeply-concerned-military-escalation-libya-190404081217912.html

Libya in the news, all this said,  some say Libya did get better after the foreign intervention. One would really have to research it, I'm sure you'd get quite differing opinions. I think France was the impetus for the intervention, at the least, their AWACS hit the country first.

[Restored]

African problem best cured by Africans

[TomSea]

African problem best cured by Africans

Well, not us. I do agree with that.

Interestingly, I believe the renegade General Haftar is reported by some to be Russian backed.   (    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-libya-russia-idUSKBN16V2IW  )  This does not appear clear though.

Haftar forces clash with pro-government fighters on road to Tripoli
Scores of eastern commander's troops reportedly captured after 'exchange of fire' at checkpoint 30km from Libyan capital


Zawiya militia parade vehicles they say were captured from Haftar's forces following fighting at the checkpoint (AFP)

 By MEE and agencies
Published date: 5 April 2019 12:17 UTC | Last update: 13 sec ago

Forces loyal to the eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar were pushed back on Friday from a key checkpoint less than 30km from Tripoli, checking their advance on the capital, security and military sources have said.

Pro-government militia fighters from the coastal town of Zawiya, west of Tripoli, retook the base in Janzour after a "short exchange of fire," the security source told the AFP news agency on condition of anonymity.

Armed clashes also broke out Friday south of Tripoli between a pro-government alliance and Haftar's forces, sources on both sides said.

Read more at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/haftar-forces-clash-pro-government-fighters-road-tripoli

Again, because of Benghazi and indeed, our participation in Libya, we watch.  Pretty wild.