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By Sami Zaptia.
London, 28 April 2020:
The United States said it regrets Khalifa Hafter’s unilateral ‘‘suggestion that changes’’ Libya’s UN-brokered Libyan Political Agreement (LPA). Khalifa Hafter had in fact announced, and not suggested, that he had revoked rather than amended the LPA in a televised address last night.
The internationally recognized Tripoli government led by Faiez Serraj condemned Hafter’s announcement as a military coup d’état intended to return Qaddafi-like military family rule to Libya.
US statement said that ‘‘The United States regrets Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Haftar’s suggestion that changes to Libya’s political structure can be imposed by unilateral declaration. The Embassy nevertheless welcomes any opportunity to engage LNA commander Haftar and all parties in serious dialogue about how the country can move forward. As civilians continue to suffer during the holy month of Ramadan and the COVID-19 pandemic threatens more lives, we urge the LNA to join the Government of National Accord in declaring an immediate humanitarian cessation of hostilities leading to a lasting ceasefire as formulated in 5+5 talks under UNSMIL facilitation on February 23 in Geneva’’.
