30 May, 2017
A spokesman for the 13th Brigade, also known as the Third Force, has said the raid on Brak Al-Shati base was a response to attacks against another air base that it controls to the south, and that those they attacked were armed. In December 2015, the two rival governments had composed the Government of National Accord, but one of the parties refused to cooperate after that.
It says it has suspended the defense minister and the Third Force's commander pending an investigation.
According to the PC, the committee will be supervised by what it described as the Commander in Chief of Libyan Army, but headed by the Justice Minister-designate and with the membership of the Interior Minister-designate. "They weren't armed. majority were executed", spokesperson of the LNA, Ahmad al-Mesmari said. "They weren't armed. majority were executed", the LNA member said.
"The Government of National Accord should act on its promise to investigate allegations that its troops executed opposing forces who had already been rounded up", said Eric Goldstein, Middle East and North Africa deputy director at HRW.
"They weren't armed. majority were executed", he said.
The Chairperson, while condemning this frightful attack, reiterates his unflinching support to the people of Libya and further pledges AU's commitment to assist in the ongoing political dialogue through the AU High Representative for Libya, Former President Jakaya Kikwete and the AU High Level Committee for Libya, Chaired by His Excellency Denis Sassou-Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo.
LNA spokesman Ahmad al-Mesmari on Friday said the victims included civilians who worked at the Brak al-Shati airbase or were in the nearby area, also reporting that summary executions took place. The UN-backed Libyan government condemned the attack, which it denied ordering.
Elsewhere on Friday a pro-Haftar tribal chief, Sheikh Ibrayek Alwati, and five other people including a child were killed in a vehicle bombing outside a mosque in the eastern city of Slouq, according to medical and security sources. The LNA has been unsuccessfully trying to capture Benghazi for months.
"In contact with our European partners and neighbouring countries, France will study ways of reinforcing our political and security activity to help restore Libyan institutions and an army capable of defeating the terrorists".
