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Hifter's Eastern Libya Forces to Abide by Cease-fire

Associated Press

   BENGHAZI, LIBYA - Libya's east-based forces have announced that they
   will abide by a cease-fire brokered by Russia and Turkey that is to
   start Sunday.

   If it holds, the cease-fire would be the country's first break in
   fighting in months, and the first brokered by international players. It
   comes as Libya is on the brink of a major escalation, with foreign
   backers of the rival Libyan governments stepping up their involvement
   on the ground.

   A spokesman for the self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces, which are led
   by ex-general Khalifa Hifter, said in a video statement that the
   cease-fire would take effect starting early Sunday. Spokesman Ahmed
   al-Mosmari said any violations of the cease-fire by their fighters
   would be dealt with "severely."

   It was not immediately clear if Hifter would also agree to a withdrawal
   of forces from around the capital. His rival, Fayez Sarraj, who is
   prime minister of the U.N.-supported government in Tripoli, had
   demanded previously such a pull out as the truce's condition. Libya is
   governed by dueling authorities, one based in the east and one in
   Tripoli in the west, led by Sarraj. Each rely on different militias for
   support.

   Hifter's eastern-based forces launched a fresh offensive to take the
   capital in April, sparking international efforts to try to contain the
   crisis in the North African nation.

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