The Libyan Accord government announced the mobilization of its forces west of the city of Sirte in preparation for a forthcoming military operation, while Algerian President Abdel Majid Taboun revealed a plan for a solution, and hinted at the opposition to arming the Libyan tribes.
The military build-up west of Sirte (450 km east of Tripoli) was described as unprecedented by Mustafa al-Majei, spokesman for the "Barkan Rage" operation of the Al-Wefaq government, on Sunday, in statements to German News Agency.
"The outbreak of the battle to liberate the cities of Sirte and Al-Jufra is decided and very close, as well as the liberation of Libyan fields and ports," Al-Majei said, adding that this is the mission of the Sirte Al-Jafra operations room, adding that the broader goal is to eliminate what he described as the state of rebellion and to control the entire Libyan soil.
The Libyan spokesman added that if the countries supporting Haftar arbitrate the mind there will be no battle, but he made it clear that if those countries choose to fight, the reconciliation forces are ready for them, stressing that all the possibilities are harnessed to serve the operations room of the Sidra Jafra, and Russia is likely to abandon Haftar.
Algerian initiative
Meanwhile, Algerian President Abdel Majid Taboun revealed on Sunday evening that his country has an initiative for a solution in Libya that is acceptable to the United Nations and was presented in coordination with Tunisia, during an interview with local media, which was broadcast by state television.
Taboun indicated that his country is about to present an initiative on the Libyan crisis, and he said it will be under the umbrella of the United Nations. There was no immediate comment from the Tunisian presidency on Tabun's comments, related to the joint initiative.
"We do not support any unilateral decision, and Algeria has among its principles the rejection of the fait accompli, that is, to announce an initiative and ask us for support or rejection," the Algerian president said.
Taboun did not disclose the content of this initiative, but he previously made an offer to host dialogue rounds between the Libyan parties, leading to a ceasefire and a political path through the election of new institutions and the constitution of the country.
Taboun hinted at this meeting that his country refused to arm the Libyan tribes, and said, "I have heard during the past 24 hours talk about arming the Libyan tribes for self-defense, and this is very dangerous, and we will be in front of a new Somalia with no solution with it."
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi called last Thursday during a meeting in Cairo with what were said to be elders and notables of Libyan tribes; People of those tribes to engage in what he described as a unified national army, and to confine arms to the state of institutions and not others.
During the last two days, statements were issued by several Libyan authorities denouncing and disavowing persons who attended the Sisi meeting, including the Supreme Council of Notables and Elders of the City of Zintan, the Social Council of the Tribes and Rafla, and the Social Council of the Moroccans.
The Supreme Council of Cities and Tribes in Libya warned the citizens of the eastern region of the danger of any Egyptian interference affecting the population in the region, and the Council called on the government of reconciliation to take legal measures against those who demanded Egyptian intervention in Libya.
The Senate of Misrata also called on the government of Al-Wefaq to address the Libyan public prosecutor to obtain arrest warrants and bring against everyone from the delegation that met the Egyptian president in Cairo.
In the same context, the tribes, notables, sheikhs and civil society institutions in Tarhuna City announced yesterday the repudiation of the Cairo meeting, stressing that all the Tarhuna tribes are with the unity of the Libyan soil, and against any Egyptian interference in Libya.
Egyptian meeting
On the other hand, the National Defense Council in Egypt, after a meeting chaired by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, affirmed Cairo’s commitment to a political solution as a way to end the Libyan crisis, in a manner that preserves the sovereignty and unity of the Libyan state, as he put it.
A spokesman for the Egyptian presidency said that the defense council called for an end to what it described as illegal foreign interference in Libya, adding that the council confirmed Egypt’s endeavor to stabilize the current field situation in Libya and not to cross the "declared lines" with the aim of bringing peace between all the parties.
The Egyptian president had hinted at military intervention in Libya, and talked about a possible "mandate" from the "Libyan tribes", considering that the advance of the reconciliation forces towards Sirte and Jafra is a "red line."
The Al-Wefaq government denounced al-Sisi's threats, and confirmed its intention to extend its control over all Libyan soil, warning Cairo against the consequences of interfering in Libya.
In Amman, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Sunday that the presence of what he described as armed militias in Libya is a threat to Egyptian security, and he and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi called for a political solution to the conflict in Libya away from external interference.