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Libyan interior ministry 'joins' rebel campaign Libyan renegade general urges new 'crisis cabinet'
(about 5 hours later)
Libya's interior ministry has released a statement saying it "fully supports" an anti-government campaign led by an former army general. A retired general waging an armed campaign against Libya's government has urged the judiciary to appoint a crisis government to oversee new elections.
However, the interior minister Salih al-Mazig later denied supporting General Khalifa Haftar, who launched his offensive last Friday. Gen Khalifa Haftar, who has launched recent attacks in Benghazi and Tripoli, said the government had "fostered terrorism" and failed Libyans.
Dozens of state institutions have pledged support for Gen Haftar. Dozens of state bodies have pledged their support for Gen Haftar.
The campaign is seen as the most serious threat yet to Libya's post-Gaddafi government. But the government called the operation an "attempted coup" and ordered the arrest of those taking part.
Gen Haftar has also called for the toppling of Libya's elected parliament, which his fighters raided on Sunday. The campaign, dubbed "Libya's dignity" by supporters, is seen as the most serious threat yet to Libya's post-Gaddafi government.
He led an assault against militant groups in Benghazi on Friday, which he accused the government of appeasing. He named the campaign "Libya's Dignity". Gen Haftar, a former army chief of staff under Col Muammar Gaddafi, led an assault against militant groups in Benghazi on Friday. On Sunday forces allied to him took control of Libya's parliament building in the capital Tripoli.
The interior ministry praised the operation in a statement posted on its Facebook page. He accuses the government of supporting terrorism - a charge denied by authorities.
"We confirm our full support of the will of the people and of the many statements in aid of the Libya's Dignity campaign against terrorism" the statement said. Libya's parliament chairman pledged to continue in his post until new elections are held in late June.
However, the interior minister Salih al-Mazig appeared shortly afterwards on local television and denied that his ministry had pledged support to Gen Haftar. Political plan
He said that he would stand with the "Libyan people" and not with the renegade general. Gen Haftar's latest comments were made at a news conference in the eastern city of Benghazi, where he is based. Correspondents say it is the clearest indication yet of his plan for Libya.
He called on the Supreme Court to set up a civilian council. which would oversee the appointment of an emergency cabinet and the holding of new elections.
Government and parliament officials have so refused to step down, but some officials, including military commanders and Libya's ambassador to the UN, have said they support Gen Haftar's plan.
Culture Minister Habib Amin declared his backing of Gen Haftar on Wednesday, Reuters news agency reported.
On Tuesday the interior ministry released a statement saying that it "supported fully" the campaign.
However, Interior Minister Salih al-Mazig later denied the report, insisting that he was siding "with the people".
Libya's interior ministry funds several of the armed groups that have been under attack in the past week.Libya's interior ministry funds several of the armed groups that have been under attack in the past week.
Government divided The head of Libya's navy, Gen Hassan Abu-Shannaq, also announced his support for the operation.
The campaign has caused deep divisions within Libya's government. Several high-profile individuals have backed the campaign, but the prime minister and parliament chairman have called it a coup.
On Monday the head of Libya's air force defence unit, Guma al-Abany, also announced his backing of the anti-Islamist campaign in a video message.
Libya's ambassador to the UN, Ibrahim al-Dabbashi, has also declared his support for the operation.
"It is not a coup... but a nationalist move" he said on his Facebook page.
The head of Libya's navy, Brigadier General Hassan Abu-Shannaq, announced his support for the operation.
Shortly afterwards he was wounded in an apparent assassination attempt in Tripoli, along with two of his guards and a driver.Shortly afterwards he was wounded in an apparent assassination attempt in Tripoli, along with two of his guards and a driver.
However, spokesmen for Libya's government and parliament insist that they will not step down.
At least 100 people have died since the outbreak of fighting on Friday.At least 100 people have died since the outbreak of fighting on Friday.
Earlier, Libya's embattled government proposed that parliament go into recess after voting on this year's budget. It also announced that new parliamentary elections were scheduled to take place on 25 June. On Tuesday, Libya's embattled government proposed that parliament go into recess after voting on this year's budget. It also announced that new parliamentary elections were scheduled to take place on 25 June.
They would be the second parliamentary elections since the overthrow of long-serving ruler Col Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.They would be the second parliamentary elections since the overthrow of long-serving ruler Col Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
However, the country has remained unstable with rival militias fighting for power.However, the country has remained unstable with rival militias fighting for power.
The planned new constitution remains unwritten and the country has had three prime ministers since March.The planned new constitution remains unwritten and the country has had three prime ministers since March.