Libyan Rebels Rejecting Russia-Turkey Mediation, "Will Attend Berlin Summit"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) engaged in combat with the Libyan government forces, has expressed his intention to attend the Libya civil war mediation summit scheduled to be held in Berlin, Germany on the 19th (local time). Previously, Haftar abruptly broke off the ceasefire negotiations held in Moscow under the mediation of Russia and Turkey, angering the Turkish government. Since there remains a significant gap in positions with the Libyan government forces, it is still uncertain whether Germany's mediation efforts will actually lead to a ceasefire agreement.

On the 14th (local time), Russian TASS news agency, citing LNA sources, reported that Haftar was invited to the Libya civil war mediation summit to be held in Berlin and accepted the invitation, deciding to attend. The summit, hosted by the German government, is scheduled for the 19th (local time) in Berlin, with leaders from Germany and the parties involved in the Libyan civil war expected to participate. The German government stated that it invited leaders from the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) and LNA, as well as from the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Turkey, the European Union (EU), and the Arab League?parties directly or indirectly involved in the Libyan civil war?to the summit.

Earlier, the GNA and LNA entered negotiations for signing a ceasefire agreement in Moscow under the mediation of Russia and Turkey but failed. Haftar requested more time to review the agreement text but left Moscow abruptly, claiming that his demands were not sufficiently reflected in the negotiation draft, causing the talks to collapse. On the same day, the LNA issued a statement declaring that it could not accept the GNA's demand for withdrawal from Tripoli. The significant differences between the two sides continue to cause difficulties in the ceasefire negotiations.

Meanwhile, the Turkish government expressed strong anger over the breakdown of the LNA ceasefire agreement and declared it would not hesitate to mobilize military force. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an strongly opposed during a meeting of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), saying, "We will make (the LNA) learn a lesson," and "If attacks on the GNA and our brothers continue, we will not hesitate."