It was reported that Western diplomats had begun leaving the Libyan capital, Tripoli, Friday morning, hours after retired Major General Khalifa Haftar announced a new offensive to take over the city, while the Al-Wefaq government pledged to crush the "mad attempt."

The departure of foreigners indicates fears of the fighting reaching the heart of the capital, where the internationally recognized government headquarters are located.

Haftar earlier announced the start of what he said was a "decisive process" for advancing towards the capital, Tripoli.

In a televised speech, Haftar said, "The hour of zero has come, the hour of sweeping sweeping that every free and honorable Libyan awaits, and our people in Tripoli have been waiting for them since the terrorists invaded and settled in them by force of arms."

The retired Major General addressed his forces, saying, "Go ahead now, each to their known goal."

However, the internationally recognized government of the National Accord government confirmed that the situation is "under control" and that it maintains all its military positions south of the capital, where the fighting has been concentrated since Haftar began its offensive more than eight months ago.

"Our forces are ready to confront any new mad attempt by the putschist Haftar," said the interior minister of the government, considering the announcement of the retired general "a new desperate attempt."

Fierce battles
In turn, government forces spokesman Mustafa al-Naji said, "Haftar's words come after a day of victories" that Al-Wefaq forces achieved after fierce battles in the vicinity of the Yarmouk camp south of the capital, which fell more than once in the hands of this or that party.

Al-Naji stressed that Hifter has kept repeating the same speech since the launch of his military campaign against Tripoli on the fourth of last April, and that Al-Wefaq forces managed to repel this campaign and defeat the attacking forces.

However, he considered that Haftar "is in despair and it is not surprising that he bombed civilian neighborhoods, but he will not escape punishment."

Since the fighting began last April, more than a thousand people have been killed and more than 140,000 driven from their homes, according to the United Nations.