Sirte has been controlled by forces aligned with Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) since Islamic State (IS) militants were expelled in 2016. The LNA said it had taken control of Sirte following a rapid advance on the city preceded by air strikes. "Sirte has been totally liberated... from terrorist groups," Ahmad al-Mesmari, spokesman for Gen Haftar's forces, said on television. Sirte is located roughly midway between Libyan rival armed forces and authorities based in the east and west of the country. The country has two rival administrations, the UN-backed one based in Tripoli, and Gen Haftar's one in the eastern city of Tobruk.

Source: Libya Today January 06, 2020 18:17 UTC