(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff)
The Presidential Council (PC), which is the legitimate authority of the Supreme Commander of the Libyan Army, announced on Thursday that it is in the process of establishing an operation room mandated by the Government of National Accord (GNA) for the military intervention against ISIS forces between Misrata and Sirte.
The statement comes after an ISIS suicide attack left five dead and twelve wounded, and growing, at a checkpoint located between Misrata and ISIS held Sirte.
The Presidential Council appointed a team of Generals and Army Officers, who are to report to the PC, to take charge of the operation room, and has selected Beshir Mohamed Al Qadi as the head of the military operation.
The PC has also prohibited all military and armed factions from directly taking part in combat operations outside of the government authorized military operation.
The statement was signed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, whose Presidential Council has assumed the function of Supreme Commander of the Libyan Army as outlined in the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA).
In another statement issued by the PC after the ISIS attacks that took place in the region between Misrata and ISIS controlled Sirte, the Libyan government gave its condolences to the families and victims who lost their lives during the attack.
“The Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord gives its sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks by ISIS in the areas of Alhisha and Boqireen. These victims were Libyans who sacrificed their lives for the stability and security of Libya so that Libya could become a stable and peaceful country.”
The PC called on all Libyans to stand against the ISIS threat plaguing the country by uniting under a centralized military force, “the lack of a united military front is not allowing us to bring an end to this terrorist activity once and for all.”
In addition, the PC’s statement also highlighted the fact that ISIS militants are taking advantage of Libya’s lack of a united military to expand their operations in the country.
