GNA military spokesperson, Muhammad Kanunu has said on September 9 that the soldiers of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) have made significant advances in the south of Libyan city of Tripoli. He further added that the GNA have caused the Libyan National Army (LNA) loyal to Field Marsha Khalifa Haftar heavy losses.

In August earlier this year, the World had urged both sides to maintain ceasefire as a strike in Benghazi took lives of three United Nation employees. 

READ: UN: Car Bomb Kills 3 UN Staff Outside Mall In Libya

Official Libyan military statement 

"The forces of the Government of National Accord are making advances in all directions to the south of Tripoli supported by the Libyan Air Forces," the spokesman said. He further adding that the troops loyal to Haftar suffered serious defeat.

READ: Khalifa Haftar's Forces Attack Tripoli Airport For Second Consecutive Night

World earlier had urged ceasefire

In August-early this year, The United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint declaration on the situation of Libya. The countries called on the rival sides to call for a ceasefire. Furthermore, they called for an the investigation into the recent strike in Benghazi, which had resulted in killing of three United Nations employees.

READ: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Implores All Indians To Leave Libya's Capital Tripoli Immediately Amid Armed Crisis, Says They Will Not Be Able To Be Evacuated Later

The state of Libya since Gadaffi

Libya has been unable to function as a unified state after US-backed Islamic extremists overturned and killed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Two rival governments have since then split the country in half: the Libyan National Army controls the eastern side of the nation and the internationally recognized 'GNA' administers the western part of the nation. Since early April this year, the LNA has been occupied in an all-out attack to gain control over the capital city of Tripoli.

Meanwhile, GNA has been waging a battle to prevent the Haftar from seizing control of the Libyan capital. Government of National Accord was formed under conditions of the Libyan political agreement which was a UN-led initiative and was signed on 17 December 2015. The accord has since largely been unsuccessful in making sure that it unifies Libya and has resulted in questioning of the viability of Government of National Accord. 

READ: Libya Strongman Haftar Orders 'advance' On Tripoli

(With inputs from ANI)