Libyan eastern-based army announces to take over Darna

TRIPOLI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Libya's eastern-based army commander General Khalifa Haftar said Tuesday that his forces will take over the eastern city of Darna, as demanded by the local people.

The army's information office posted video footage on its Facebook page of a visit of Haftar to Darna to inspect the army's units.

"Unfortunately, the liberation of Darna has taken a long time, because we believed that there was a peaceful solution to spare bloodshed on us or some of those affiliated to criminal groups stationed in Darna," Haftar said.

"The citizens are demanding the liberation of Darna and we will move to liberate it," Haftar added.

Since 2015, Darna has been besieged by the army who demanded the armed group of the Shura Council of Mujahideen of Darna to leave the city. The army accuses the group of being loyal to al-Qaida. Enditem