An initial batch of 100 Syrian militants arrive in Libya
Cairo – North-Press Agency
Muhammad al-Yanairi
The Libyan politician, Muhammad al-Abani, confirmed that militants from Syria have arrived in Libya, in compliance with the agreement concluded between the Libyan Government of National Accord led by Fayez al-Sarraj, and Turkish President Erdogan. According to the Libyan politician, the first batch of Syrian militants that arrived in Libya is only a "reconnaissance batch".
Al-Abani said: "It was agreed with Turkey and the Government of National Accord (al-Wifaq) to bring militants from Syria into Libya, and I believe – according to my information from a reliable source – that a small number of them have entered Libya in the past days," considering that "this is a very dangerous thing, and it will be disastrous on all aspects,” he said.
The Libyan politician, the head of the Libyan General National Congress (GRC), told North-Press, that as a result of providing Libya with foreign militants from Syria by Turkey, there will be dangerous events, and a direct threat to destroy the capital (Tripoli) as it happened in Syria.
Al-Abani estimated the number of Syrian militants who have arrived in Libya during the past few days – according to information obtained personally from a reliable source – at about 100 militants as a reconnaissance batch only, in reference to successive process of batches of the Syrian militants, based on the agreement reached between al-Sarraj and Erdogan, which resulted in the direct Turkish intervention.
In his statements to North-Press, the Libyan politician discussed the Egyptian role and Cairo's efforts to find a solution to the crisis in Libya. He said: "It is not possible under these circumstances, due to the direct and public interference of the Turkish side in the war … This will cause confusion in the scene, and lead to an increase in the pace of the war, with an increase in the rate of participation to support the army from all Libyan parties that were taking a neutral stance. The Libyan politician pointed out in the same context that "there is an influence from the Egyptian side only one party (the Libyan army), while the second party considers Egypt as a major party in the conflict and war," he said.
Whereas reports circulated about the beginning of the flow of Syrian militants, belonging to the Turkish-backed armed opposition groups, who define themselves as the "National Army" on Libyan territories. It is the news which was denied by these armed groups.
Meanwhile, pages on social media circulated 3 footages showing Syrian militants who said they were in one of the Libyan camps which they had succeeded in "liberating" it. These are the videos which were denied by the Libyan al-Wifaq Government in a statement issued yesterday, in which it claimed to be "filmed in Idlib.”
While North-Press reached out to activists inside Libya, they stated – in separate statements – that the camp in which the videos were filmed is actually a camp called "Takbali" in Libya, confirming the participation of the Turkish-backed Syrian armed groups, in Libya, and this refutes the denial of the Ministry of Defense Of the Interim Government, regarding the issue of sending Syrian militants to Libya in support of the Turkish backer.
In addition, Syrian intellectuals and activists circulated a petition for signature, condemning the participation of any Syrian armed group in the war in Libya. The signatories of the petition said: "Our rejection of this step stems from our steadfast and principled refusal to recruit (mercenaries) who are fighting in the wars of others, and it is a rejection of the presence of (militias and mercenaries) from Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Russia on our land (Syria). As we rejected these, we cannot accept sending Syrian militants out of Syria, whatever their number was.”