Imprisoned pro-Haftar fighters freed in Libya

  -  
Copyright © africanews
cleared

Seventy-eight prisoners who fought on the side of eastern Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar in his year-long offensive against the capital Tripoli are released. The detained fighters were released at the end of a reconciliation ceremony organised in Jedaida prison in Tripoli that was attended by the minister of justice.

"The ministry of Justice stresses on building a nation free of unjustice, but a state of justice, equal of opportunities and free of exclusions. We, in the ministry of justice, will not miss any chance to support human rights," stressed Halima Ibrahim al-Busifi, minister of Justice in the Government of National Unity.

In October 2020, they signed a truce, setting in motion a UN-led process that saw a new transitional government installed.

In December and January, the two sides exchanged dozens of prisoners in accordance with the ceasefire terms, and at the end of March, 120 pro-Haftar fighters were released near to Tripoli.

The new executive is charged with organising national elections set for December 2021, but analysts warn that major stumbling blocks remain.

View on Africanews
>