Military sources revealed that a Libyan fighter jet “MIG-21” has been destroyed in Benghazi’s area of Sabri, while its pilot has survived. They added that he suffered broken and bruised, saying that his health condition is stable, as he has been transferred to the hospital to receive treatment.
According to the military sources, the jet dropped because technical problem, as it was performing combat and reconnaissance mission. Spokesperson of Libyan army Ahmed Al Mesmari said that the reasons of the jet’s drop has not been known, saying that there is a possible attack targeted it.
He added that the Libyan army has no relation with the presidential council as it has not been recognized by the parliament, saying that the army is not a part of any political conflict, saying that they wait the orders to take the steps to liberate the Libyan capital Tripoli.
He called the Libyan militants to surrender their weapons to the Libyan army, calling the international community for adopting position supporting the Libyan people not to the armed militias that work to destabilize the Libyan community and to terrorize the Libyan people.
In the same context, the militants in Ganfouda’s 12 Apartment complex were finally overwhelmed this morning in an all-out assault by the Libyan National Army during which a Mig-21 crashed, after a siege lasting almost eight weeks.
A senior military source said 31 bodies were found in the buildings while a number of women was brought out alive. It is not known how many soldiers were killed or wounded in the final stages of the battle. At least 12 LNA men are known to have died and some 30 been wounded in the course of the siege. During the intense fighting eight militants tried to escape and were caught.
On the political side, Director General of League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul-Gheit revealed that his envoy to Libya is scheduled to visit Tobruk during the next week to hold talks with the Libyan officials in the framework of the current efforts aiming to find political solution for the Libyan crisis.
The statement came during a press conference gathering between representatives of African Union, European Union and the United Nations on Saturday. The officials held a meeting to discuss the recent developments witnessed in Libya during the recent days.
Aboul-Gheit added, “Our major objective is to support the Libyans to achieve democratic transition through coordinating between the four organizations. He added, “We agreed to support the Libyan presidential council to reach a political solution as soon as possible.”
He added that they condemned the attacks launched by the extremist militias against the Oil Crescent area on March 3, calling the different parties for suspending the military operations and to protect the oil infrastructure.
He continued, “We also discussed the recent serious developments witnessed in the Libyan capital of Tripoli and the political situation after these developments. We renewed our commitment to the political agreement concluded in the Moroccan city of Skheirat, as it provides the general framework upon which the Libyan parties can reach inclusive settlement.”
The director general of the Arab league stressed support for the internationally-recognized presidential council, calling the other parties, including the House of Representatives and the High Council of the state to start a serious dialogue aiming to treat the controversial points and to reach compromises paving the way for completing the required steps to overcome the current crisis.