TRIPOLI, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The spokesman of the eastern-based army of Libya, Ahmad al-Mismari, on Thursday called on "non-extremist" fighters of the rival UN-backed government to leave the capital Tripoli, confirming that the operation to "liberate Tripoli" continues.
"The General Command (of the army) calls on all fighters who do not embrace extremist ideology to put down their weapons, leave Tripoli and return safely to their cities, so that we and them can resort to the law, the people's word and a comprehensive national project within the framework of the law and the constitution," al-Mismati said in a video statement posted on his official Facebook page.
The spokesman revealed no details about the identities of those "non-extremist" fighters or their cities.
"The future Libya, after liberation, needs all of its people for rebuilding. There is no exclusion or marginalization of anyone. All the sons of the homeland are partners and are equal under the law, the constitution, the state, and the state institutions," al-Mismari said.
The spokesman also called on the international community to support the army in eliminating terrorist groups in Tripoli.
The eastern-based army has been leading a military campaign since early April in and around the capital Tripoli, attempting to take over the city and overthrow the UN-backed government.
The armed conflict has killed and injured thousands of people, while displacing nearly 120,000 civilians.
The UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj on Thursday stressed that there will be no cease-fire in Libya without withdrawal of the rival eastern-based army from western Libya.
