TRIPOLI, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- The east-based army of Libya on Friday asked the Misurata forces, fighting on behalf of the UN-backed government, to withdraw from Tripoli and Sirte within three days.
The east-based army, in a statement, warned that "the targeting of Misurata will continue and will be unprecedentedly intensive," if the UN-backed government forces from Misurata do not withdraw from the two cities before the deadline.
The east-based army on Thursday said it had launched more than 10 airstrikes on positions of the UN-backed government forces in Misurata, some 200 km east of the capital Tripoli.
A military camp of the UN-backed government forces was also hit, with some 25 soldiers killed or injured, said the statement.
The UN-backed government condemned the airstrikes, accusing the east-based army of injuring a number of civilians in Misurata.
The east-based army has been leading a military campaign in and around Tripoli since early April, trying to take over the city and topple the UN-backed government.
Khalifa Haftar, commander of the east-based army, declared on Thursday the launch of the final stage of the military campaign, ordering his troops to further advance into Tripoli.
