Libyan Major General Ahmed al-Mesmari: Ceasefire initiative in Libya is ploy by GNA to mislead public about Sirte offensive

BENGHAZI, Libya — Major General Ahmed al-Mesmari, spokesperson for the General Command of the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Khalifa Haftar, stated that the ceasefire agreement in Libya, initiated by head of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj, is only misleading the public opinion. Al-Mesmari also stressed that the LNA is ready to respond to any attack, while some Turkish warships were monitored off the coast of Sirte city.

Last week, a ceasefire agreement was initiated by the Libyan authorities in Tripoli between the GNA and LNA, opposing belligerents in the Libyan civil war. LNA spokesperson, Major General Ahmed al-Mesmari, during a press conference held on Sunday, stated that, “The initiative of the GNA led by Fayez al-Sarraj, only misleads the public opinion and aims to cover up the GNA’s actual intentions regarding the situation in Libya.”

Al-Mesmari said he believes that the GNA and Turkey still plan to launch an attack on the city of Sirte, an important center for Libya’s petroleum industry, and pointed out that during the past 24 hours, Turkish warships and frigates were monitored heading towards Sirte, likely in preparation for the eventual attack.

“The GNA initiative is only misleading and hiding truth,” Al-Mesmari added, indicating that terrorism has been expanding in Libya under international sponsorship. “The Libyan National Army, however, is completely prepared to respond to any attack.”