Libyan army says 65 foreign militants holed up in mountains of Darna

TRIPOLI, April 12 (Xinhua) -- A total of 65 foreign militants are holed up in the mountains of the eastern city of Darna, said Libyan eastern-based army spokesman later on Wednesday.

"The army had been in contact with tribal elders and leaders. We gave enough time to resolve the problem, but the young people still had links with IS and al-Qaida remnants," army spokesman Ahmad Mismari, said at a press conference later on Wednesday in the eastern city of Benghazi.

The 65 foreign militants holed up in the mountains are from Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan and Yemen, wanted by security and legal agencies in their countries, said Mismari.

"There is no way a terrorist group or organization can rule a certain city," and any foreign militants arrested would be returned to their countries "as they are competent to punish them," Mismari said.

Army commander General Khalifa Haftar said Tuesday that his forces would take over Darna as demanded by the local people.

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