The U.N. reports that more than 120 people have been killed in Libya fighting as Haftar's forces prepare to move into Tripoli

Khalifa Haftar.
(Image credit: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

The United Nations health agency said Sunday that more than 120 people have been killed in fighting that broke out in Libya 10 days ago when rebel Gen. Khalifa Haftar, a former general in overthrown leader Muammar Gaddafi's army who later joined the revolt against him, launched an assault on the country's capital city, Tripoli.

Al Jazeera reported that the head of Haftar's proclaimed parliament said on Sunday that forces loyal to Haftar are preparing to move into Tripoli. Haftar said he was planning an attack on Tripoli on April 4 to capture the capital from the United Nations-backed Government of National Accord, which is led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj.

Haftar's forces have continuously launched airstrikes on the outskirts of Tripoli since the army began advancing toward the city in 10 days, though the GNA's army has largely kept Haftar's offensive at bay, per Al Jazeera. The fiercest fighting has taken place at an airport that is no longer in use just outside of Tripoli.

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Haftar reportedly met with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who has been a vocal support of Haftar and his troops, on Sunday in Cairo, though there are no reports on the details of the meeting.

The situation in Libya has remained unstable since Gaddafi's death with numerous factions fighting for power.

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Tim O'Donnell

Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.