TRIPOLI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The spokesperson of the Libyan UN-backed government, Mohamed Al-Sallak, on Monday said that the government is willing to coordinate with all military parties to secure the troubled south.
At a press conference in the capital Tripoli, Al-Sallak confirmed that "forming a military force to secure the south has begun to resolve the conflict, secure and protect the region, combat terrorism and smuggling networks, and pursue foreign infiltrators across the border."
Prime Minister Fayez Serraj reiterated demands to all parties to unite efforts against challenges in the south, Al-Sallak added.
"There are no fears about the tasks assigned to the force, since the purpose of its formation is only to secure the south, resolve the conflict, and establish stability," Al-Sallak said when asked by Xinhua reporter about certain tribal leaders asking the government not to send a force for fear of possible clashes with the eastern-based army forces.
"There is no enemy except for terrorist groups and all external parties that destabilize the security of Libya," he said.
Both of Serraj's government forces and the eastern-based army, led by General Khalifa Haftar, control Sabha and other southern cities and have military presence there.
The government on Wednesday formed a military force to secure southern Libya, following escalation of armed violence in the city of Sabha, about 800 km south of Tripoli.
Since the beginning of February, Sabha has been witnessing violent tribal clashes that have so far killed 23 people and injured 91 others, according to the city's hospital.
The fighting also forced more than 200 families to flee their homes.
