Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar says forces captured Derna
Updated 13:18, 02-Jul-2018
CGTN
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Commander of Libya's eastern-based army, General Khalifa Haftar, on Thursday announced taking over the whole eastern city of Derna after defeating the extremists there.
"After a bitter struggle and great sacrifices, today our time is renewed as usual with victory, and the terrorists and their supporters with defeat as usual," Haftar said in a televised speech.
"We proudly announce the liberation of the precious city of Derna and returning it safely to the homeland, so that joy can spread all over Libya," Haftar said.
Haftar expressed gratitude to the Libyan army and the people of Derna for "standing together with the army in the war to liberate the city from darkness."
Haftar accused the international community of turning a blind eye to the supplies of arms to terrorist organizations inside Libya, while refusing to arm the Libyan army and lift the arms embargo.
Soldiers from the self-styled army of Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar take part in a military parade in the eastern city of Benghazi on May 7, 2018, during which Haftar announced a military offensive to take from terrorists the city of Derna. /VCG Photo

Soldiers from the self-styled army of Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar take part in a military parade in the eastern city of Benghazi on May 7, 2018, during which Haftar announced a military offensive to take from terrorists the city of Derna. /VCG Photo

"The Libyan army's victory over the terrorist organizations in the east, west and south of Libya is a victory for the whole world because the army is fighting terrorism on behalf of the world," he said.
On May 3, the Libyan army launched a military operation to take over the eastern city of Derna from the grip of an organization called the Shura Council of the Mujahideen in Derna, a coalition of Islamist militias seeking to implement Sharia law in the city.
The army has besieged the city since 2015, and demanded that the group leave Derna, accusing it of being loyal to al-Qaida.
Libya has been suffering from unrest and insecurity since its former leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled and killed in nationwide unrest in 2011.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency