By Libya Herald staff.
Malta, 8 January 2015:
The Libyan National Army (LNA) of the only internationally recognized government in Libya, renewed its . . .[restrict]strongly worded warning sent out by the Chief of the Air Force Saqr Jaroushi Wednesday to fire on any ships or planes approaching Misrata.
The warning reported by LANA was made by Mohamed Hijazi, the official spokesperson for the LNA Chief of Staff.
Hijazi said the the fighter jets of the LNA Air Force were monitoring the activities of the port and airport in Misrata closely. This is more the so after the arrival of new modern Sukhoi jet fighters with enhanced capabilities in terms of their range and manoeuvrability, he said.
Hijazi said that any naval or air vessel entering these areas will be targeted by the Libyan Air Force and added that Misrata’s airport and seaport had become disastrous for Libya, exporting terrorism and extremism in all its forms, from importing weapons to terrorist elements that are exported to Libyan cities.
They are especially exported to the city of Benghazi which he said can be considered now 95 percent under the control of the LNA, except for the Suk il Hoot and Old Laithi districts.
On another note, Hijazi added that the LNA was preparing for the liberation of Derna, emphasizing that the city was totally surrounded by LNA units and especially in the areas of Ain Mara and Sidi Khalifa. Hijazi said that the LNA was awaiting orders to move on Derna to commence the battle for its liberation and ridding it of terrorist and extremist groups.
Meanwhile, Turkey today reacted angrily to the LNA threat saying that it was “irresponsible”, violated international law and was “absolutely unacceptable”. It urged its citizens to leave Libya. [/restrict]
