The member of the 5 + 5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) from the western region, Major General Mustafa Yehya, said that the remarks announced by Khalifa Haftar's (eastern) representatives in the JMC on Saturday does not reflect the opinion and stance of the entire JMC.
Yehya hoped, according to the media office of the Government of National Unity (GNU), that the members of the JMC would distance themselves from taking political sides because of the direct impact of such issues on the JMC work, its neutrality and national role.
“But we acknowledge the pressure that the JMC is facing from the eastern region as a result of political polarization. I suppose that what the JMC members said about the eastern region and the blockade of oil does not reflect their true will." Yehya said.
He added that the JMC would continue to foil attempts aiming at reviving conflicts, reiterating what was stated in the JMC statement on the western region that was issued on February 22, which confirmed that the solution would only be through holding elections as soon as possible.
The five members representing Khalifa Haftar’s forces within the JMC suspended Saturday their participation at the JMC meetings, severed ties with the GNU, and demanded a blockade on oil exports from Libya and a shutdown of the coastal road. The members of the 5+5 JMC also called for stopping flights between east and west Libya.
Meanwhile, Haftar forces' spokesman Ahmed Al-Mismari denied news about their and Bashagha's government's intention to start a gradual closure of oil and gas ports and fields beginning from Monday, adding that such news is baseless.
