Libyan military sources: Bashagha's forces approach eastern Tripoli
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The forces of Major-General Salem Jeha are approaching the eastern entrance of the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
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Members of the "444 Brigade" affiliated with Tripoli man positions in Tripoli's suburb of Ain Zara, on July 22, 2022. (AFP)
Libyan military sources confirmed Saturday that the forces of Major-General Salem Jeha, loyal to the Libyan designate-government, headed by Fathi Bashagha, are approaching the eastern entrance of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, ready to march in.
The sources told Sputnik that since the early morning hours, the forces have been moving with all military might, with its weapons and vehicles, heading from Misrata to Tripoli, the capital, and will not stop until they reach it.
The sources added that if the forces are attacked, they will deal with the fire source.
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On the other hand, a Libyan military source in Misrata confirmed that the "Himayat Al-Dustoor" forces, - or, what translates to "Constitution Protection" forces - loyal to the National Unity Government headed by Abdel Hamid Dbeibah, are preparing to deploy towards Tripoli and close the coastal road.
On the other hand, the spokesman for the Libyan government appointed by Parliament, Othman Abdel Jalil, confirmed that the head of the government's unannounced visit to Turkey is incorrect.
"This is not true," Abdel Jalil said in a statement to Sputnik, in response to a question about whether Fathi Bashagha had gone to Turkey Friday on an unannounced visit.
Abdel Jalil expressed hope that the fighting between the Libyan government and the National Unity Government would stop.
Violent clashes erupted between the two armed groups on Friday and Saturday in Tripoli. Fighting took place with heavy and light weapons in a number of neighborhoods of the city against the backdrop of political chaos with two conflicting governments.
Two days ago, forces loyal to Dbeibah asserted might near Tripoli Airport to repel any "potential attack" from the forces affiliated with Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha.
Bashagha reiterated his desire to "enter the capital, peacefully, in order not to shed blood," saying that "7 million Libyans, including the people of the capital, are waiting for his government to enter Tripoli in order to claim its position.
Read next: Libya: Parliament to hold session on political crisis
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
