Libya’s eastern-based army stresses need to eliminate terrorism

Spokesman of Libyan eastern-based army Ahmad al-Mismari on Wednesday said that no political process in Libya can succeed before eliminating terrorism.

“The general command of the Armed Forces has already determined its position on international efforts, and stressed that no political process can succeed unless terrorist groups are eliminated and criminal militias are dismantled and disarmed,” al-Mismari said in a statement.

Al-Mismari pointed out that any political or economic track will not succeed unless it is preceded by determining the security and military path, according to bases and rules that enable the restoration of the state and its sovereign decision-making.

The eastern-based army has been leading a military campaign since early April in and around the capital Tripoli, attempting to take over the city and topple the UN-backed government.

The fighting has killed and injured thousands of people, and forced more than 120,000 civilians to flee their homes.