Muslim scholars decry Haftar's attacks in Tripoli

ISTANBUL (AA) – A Doha-based body of Muslim scholars on Sunday condemned a military campaign by East Libya-based commander Khalifa Hafter to capture the capital Tripoli.

"Haftar, who is supported with funds from some Arabs to shed blood, spread chaos and divide the Libyan people, is now heading to occupy the capital and eliminate the Government of National Accord [GNA] recognized by Arab states and the UN," the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) said in a statement.

IUMS said the Tripoli-based GNA is a "recognized member of the Arab League and the UN".

"They, however, leave it to face an army of militias and mercenaries," it lamented, going on to call on the Arab states and the UN to stand against Haftar's assault and "provide sufficient support to the GNA to repel the aggression and continue to achieve unity, legitimacy and stability of the Libyan people".

On Thursday, Haftar launched a military campaign to recapture Tripoli from the GNA forces.

Libya has remained beset by turmoil since 2011, when a NATO-backed uprising led to the ouster and death of President Muammar Gaddafi after four decades in power.

Since then, the country’s stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of power: one in the eastern city of Al-Bayda, to which Haftar is linked, and another in Tripoli.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat