Libyan air forces bombarded a boat carrying weapons

A Libyan Air force plane from Tobruk air base performed a strike on a boat carrying gunmen and ammunition off the port of Derna. According to a source at Tobruk air base, “the boat was coming towards the port of Derna, it did not stop or respond, after several warnings it was then targeted by the plane”

According to sources, the preliminary information suggests that the boat was coming from the western part of the country and was load with weapons and fighters”. The city of Derna has seen many battles between the youth of the city and the ISIS organization. At the same time the army is also engaged in battles with ISIS on the outskirts of the city, with planes carrying out raids on almost a daily basis.

In the same context, several protests and demonstrations erupted in several Libyan cities rejecting the agreement reached between the Presidential Council in Libya and the Italian government which stipulates helping Libyan Coast Guard to fight illegal immigration.

Videos and photos circulated on social media showing Italian military ships in Libyan regional waters despite news that they had left due to threats from Head of Libyan National Army Marshal Khalifa Haftar who considered their presence a violation of Libyan sovereignty.

Sarraj’s deputy and member of proposed Presidential Council Fathi al-Mujabari announced his support for Haftar’s order to target any military vessel that reaches Libyan waters. Mujabari warned, in a statement, against violating the order. He added that Libyan-Italian friendship treaty and memorandums of understanding do not approve this kind of interventions.

Yet, Sarraj ignored all objections and welcomed the Special Representative lauding the UN’s efforts and support aiming at reaching a political solution for the Libyan crisis. Following the meeting, Sarraj said his government is ready to provide all the support for the UN mission, wishing the new envoy success and calling on all parties to cooperate fully with him.

Sarraj said he briefed Salame on an agreement he reached with Haftar in Paris."We believe that the Libyan Political Agreement is the basis of any dialogue. It is important to step forward and complete what we started," he added.

He also urged UNSMIL to return to operating out of Libya as soon as possible and requested the UN to provide the necessary technical and logistical support so that the presidential and legislative elections proposed next year can be successful.

 For his part, the Special Representative informed Sarraj that the UN Secretary General is looking forward to seeing Libya in the near future stable and independent. 

"I assume my role with the utmost respect for the national sovereignty, independence and unity of Libya," Salame said.

 Saleme described his meeting with Sarraj as “constructive” and stated that they “agreed on the urgency to end the suffering of the Libyan people". "The UN mission in Libya was forced to leave Tripoli in 2014, and I am pleased to inform the Government of National Accord today that we are gradually returning to Tripoli," Salame said.