The Libyan army announced that its forces are now just kilometers away from the city of Sirte and that their recovery from the forces of retired Major General Khalifa Haftar is a "matter of time". This coincides with the intensification of diplomatic efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the crisis, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's announcement that Haftar has already become "outside the Libyan equation."
Brigadier Ibrahim Bait Al-Mal, commander of the Sirte-Jafra liberation operations room, said in a statement to a private Libyan channel, "We are kilometers away from Sirte, and its liberation is a matter of time, and we wish to spare its people from the scourge of wars."
The forces of the National Accord Government announced last Saturday the launch of the "Paths of Victory" operation to restore the cities and towns in the center and east of the country, led by Sirte and Al-Jafra. Later, it announced the restoration of several areas around Sirte, including Al-Waska, Jorf and Al-Qubeiba.
On the other hand, a military source said that Al-Wefaq forces had repositioned them in the Al-Nakhla Junction area (west of Sirte) to avoid shelling by Haftar forces with heavy artillery directed by laser.
The same source also confirmed that the mercenaries of the Russian Wagner Company are participating in military operations against the reconciliation forces.
Three Al-Wefaq forces and seven civilians, including three children and two women, were killed in an air strike by Haftar's warplane. The shelling targeted a residential site in the Wadi Jarif area, southwest of Sirte.
Al-Wefaq forces continue to maintain their advanced positions within the administrative borders of Sirte, specifically at the thirty kilo zone.
These forces had previously confirmed that they would continue to advance towards Sirte until they regained control.
On the other hand, Ahmed Al-Mesmari, a spokesman for Hifter's forces, announced yesterday that they will continue their operations until the commitment (by the government of reconciliation) to the Egyptian initiative or the elimination of what he described as rogue cities.
On the other hand, 28 battalions and companies of the military zone in Sebha (southern the country) renewed their support and adherence to the internationally recognized government of national reconciliation.
Also, notables and Touareg rulers announced in the city of Ubari in the south of the country their support for the government of reconciliation, stressing the need to unify the security institutions of the state, and demanding the team Ali Kana (commander of the military zone in Sebha of the government) to take the reins in the south.
Erdogan's statements
Politically, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hinted at (near) the exclusion of Haftar from the political equation in Libya, in light of the diplomatic efforts being conducted by Ankara with Washington and Moscow.
This came in a lengthy interview with the Turkish network "TRT" yesterday evening, which dealt with several files, most notably developments in Libya.
Erdogan said that he assured his American counterpart Donald Trump - during a telephone conversation between them - that his country is continuing to support legitimacy in Libya, noting that Trump spoke to him about the "success" that Ankara achieved there.
The Turkish president pointed out that the control of the Fayez al-Sarraj government over vital areas disturbed Russia, and that Haftar was a coupist who derived his strength from Russia as he described it.
He also said, "Turkey was saddened by the participation of several countries in the Cairo summit, especially Russia."
On the other hand, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoغلlu reaffirmed their mutual commitment to help create conditions for reconciliation between the warring parties in Libya.
The Russian statement said that the two sides stressed the importance of creating appropriate conditions for a Libyan political and diplomatic settlement under international auspices. They also agreed on the need for the urgent appointment of a new Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Libya.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his support for the Cairo initiative on a settlement in Libya, and discussed during a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah El-Sisi a detailed development of the situation, according to a statement by the Kremlin.
The statement added that Sisi had informed Putin about the content of the Cairo talks with Haftar on June 6. The mutual commitment was confirmed to continue coordination to ensure the cessation of hostilities and the start of negotiations between the Libyan parties under international auspices.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also called Sisi on the current political and military situation in Libya, in which she expressed support for the ceasefire efforts, according to a statement of a spokesman for the Berlin government.
The German statement indicated that Merkel assured Sisi that negotiations under UN supervision must remain the central reference point for the Libyan peace process. The Egyptian Chancellor and President also urged all parties to the conflict to return to the negotiating table.