Libya's Haftar declares ‘zero hour’ for campaign to take Derna - in pictures

Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar announces the start of the 'liberation' of Derna after his forces clashed with rivals on the outskirts of the eastern city

• 

  Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar salutes during a military parade in the eastern city of Bengahzi. He announced a fresh offensive to 'liberate' Derna. Abdullah Doma / AFP

• 

  “Zero hour for the liberation of Derna has struck. Our army forces are now targeting their hideouts,” Mr Haftar said in a speech at a military parade in Benghazi. Abdullah Doma / AFP

• 

  Derna is the last major bastion of opposition to Haftar’s Libyan National Army in the east of the country. Abdullah Doma / AFP

• 

  The LNA has surrounded the city, on the coastal highway between Benghazi and Egypt, and has long threatened to begin ground operations there. Abdullah Doma / AFP

• 

  However, its campaign has so far been limited to encirclement along with occasional air strikes and bombardments. Abdullah Doma / AFP

• 

  In recent weeks the LNA has deployed new units in the Derna area and at the end of last month Haftar made a rare visit to forces stationed outside the city, following his return from medical treatment in France.. Abdullah Doma / AFP

• 

  Soldiers loyal to Khalifa Haftar take part in a military parade in the eastern city of Benghazi. Abdullah Doma / AFP

Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar announced the start of military operations to “liberate” Derna on Monday after his forces clashed with rivals on the outskirts of the eastern city.

“Zero hour for the liberation of Derna has struck. Our army forces are now targeting their hideouts,” Mr Haftar said in a speech at a military parade in Benghazi.

“We have given instructions to avoid civilians,” he said. “The peace efforts in Derna have reached a dead end.”

Derna is the last major bastion of opposition to Haftar’s Libyan National Army in the east of the country.

Read more: Libyan commander declares ‘zero hour’ for campaign to take city