TRIPOLI, July 5 (Xinhua) -- The commander of the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) announced on Wednesday that his troops have defeated rival militant groups and taken control of Benghazi after three years of fighting.
"The armed forces have completely liberated the city of Benghazi from terrorism. We announce the army's victory in the battle of dignity against terrorism," Major General Khalifa Haftar said in a televised speech.
Haftar's forces, allied with the eastern-based authorities, were engaged in a fierce fighting for three years against militant groups in the major rebel stronghold of Benghazi in a military campaign called "Dignity Operation" by Haftar.
"In this historic occasion that the Libyan people waited for a long time, the Libyan armed forces would like to thank our brave soldiers, and to especially thank friendly countries for supporting us," Haftar said.
Haftar's army now controls major eastern oil ports as well as a large airbase in southern Libya.
Libya is still trapped in turmoil and a political divide despite the signing of a UN-backed peace agreement and the establishment of a unity government.
