Libya celebrates victory as it recovers the country’s second city Benghazi from rival armed groups.
The country’s eastern commander Khalifa Haftar said on Wednesday that his force has successfully taken full control of Benghazi after 3 years of the campaign.
The battle for Benghazi between Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) and an array of Islamist militants and other fighters have been part of a broader conflict since Libya slipped into turmoil following the 2011 fall of strongman Muammar Gaddafi.
“Your armed forces declare to you the liberation of Benghazi from terrorism, a full liberation and a victory of dignity,” Haftar said, wearing a white uniform in a televised speech.
“Benghazi has entered into a new era of safety and peace.”