Libya says 17 prisoners freed by Haftar’s militia

By Mohammed Erteima

TRIPOLI, Libya (AA) – Militias aligned with warlord Khalifa Haftar have released 17 captives from Libya’s western region, the Libyan army said on Saturday.

“Seventeen captives held by Haftar’s militias were released,” military spokesman Abdel-Hadi Darah told Anadolu Agency.

He said the prisoners were handed over to the Libyan army at the al-Khamsin Gate, west of Sirte city.

"The prisoners arrived in Misrata, northwest of Libya, and will be offered medical check-ups before handing them over to their families," Darah said.

On May 6, the Libyan 5+5 Joint Military Commission said 35 prisoners were exchanged between the Libyan government and Haftar's militias. The commission is made up of five senior military officers from the Libyan government and five others chosen by Haftar.

Libya has witnessed positive developments in the last few months following a breakthrough after rival parties agreed on Feb. 5 on a unified new executive authority that will govern Libya in the lead-up to national elections on Dec. 24.

Libyans hope the new government will end years of civil war that have engulfed the country since the ouster and killing of strongman Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

​​​​​​​*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara