US: Pompeo urges 'immediate halt' to Tripoli operations

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called for "immediate halt" to military operations against the Libyan capital.

In a statement, Pompeo said Washington is "deeply concerned" about fighting near Tripoli, saying that there is no military solution to the Libya conflict.

His remarks came days after Libyan National Army (LNA) headed by commander Khalifa Haftar launched a military campaign to recapture Tripoli from the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).

"We have made clear that we oppose the military offensive by Khalifa Haftar's forces and urge the immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan capital," the U.S. top diplomat said.

He said all involved parties have a responsibility to urgently de-escalate the situation, adding that the "unilateral military campaign against Tripoli is endangering civilians and undermining prospects for a better future for all Libyans.

"A political solution is the only way to unify the country and provide a plan for security, stability, and prosperity for all Libyans," he said.

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.