Libya’s eastern-based military commander Khalifa Haftar has not ruled out the use of force to stabilize the country, though he says a political solution would be preferable.
“It’s obvious that we prefer the political routes, but when these don’t work there must be other solutions,” Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper quotes Haftar to have said in an interview.
Libya has been marred by conflict since the 2011 ouster and killing of long-serving leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The ensuing political turmoil created a vacuum that has been exploited by Islamist militants and human smuggling networks.
Haftar’s latest comments come amid a United Nations new puch to get rival factions in the country to sign a plan to stabilize the North African nation and allow for a presidential election.
The general is in Italy for an official visit, where he went to meet Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti.
After a meeting between the two leaders, Haftar expressed hope that all parties would support an “inclusive political strategy… excluding any military solution.”
The void in Libya has resulted into the country becoming the preferred departing point for migrants seeking to reach Europe.
The migrants use dinghies to make the perilous journey across the Mediterranean, seeking better lives.
Hundreds of thousands have died trying the crossing, but more still depart Libya’s coastline, determined to reach Europe.
