The Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar, recorded a video message in which he ordered his troops to attack the capital of the country, Tripoli, The Guardian reported.

He ordered forces not to open fire on any civilians, saying “whoever raises the white banner is safe”.

Earlier on Thursday it was reported that his troops took control of the town of Gharyan, located less than 100 km south of Tripoli. The Libyan National Army also stated that it had established control over the city of Sorman, which is already located only 60 kilometers from the Libyan capital.

After the civil war and the assassination of the country's leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the diarchy remains in Libya. The parliament and the army under the command of Field Marshal Haftar is in the east, while the government of national consensus, formed with the support of the UN and recognized by the international community is in the west.