CAIRO (AP) — The self-styled Libyan National Army is declaring “zero hour” in its offensive to capture the capital, Tripoli, from the U.N.-backed government.
The LNA, led by commander Khalifa Hifter, called on the young people of Tripoli to work with its forces, via a post on its Facebook page published early Saturday.
Meanwhile, the internationally-recognized government in Tripoli issued a statement saying it had gathered intelligence about possible airstrikes by LNA forces against key sites in the capital, including the only functioning airport.
The Government of National Accord in Tripoli said Friday it had intelligence suggesting airstrikes against the capital by Hifter’s allies — including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and France — were likely.
Libya sank into chaos after Moammar Gadhafi’s 2011 ouster and is now divided between rival administrations.