Libyan army launches operation to liberate Sirte as Egypt proposes truce

Libya's internationally recognised government attempted new advances against the militia of retreating warlord Khalifa Haftar, who stood by in Cairo as his ally, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi, proposed a ceasefire.

The Libyan army launched a military operation on Saturday to liberate cities in eastern and central Libya from militias of warlord Khalifa Haftar.

In a statement, military spokesman Abdel Hadi Dara said the operation, codenamed "path of victory", aims to liberate the cities of Sirte and Jufra and the towns of Wadi Wishka, Buerat, Jarif and Qasr Abu Haid from Haftar's militia.

He said warplanes struck two military vehicles belonging to Haftar south of Wadi Wishka.

For his part, army spokesman Mohammed Kanunu said government forces have been ordered to advance towards Wadi Wishka and Sirte.

He said Libyan warplanes carried out five airstrikes against Haftar's forces near Sirte.