Mass grave found in south of Tripoli - Libyan interior ministry

The Libyan Red Crescent found a mass grave in the Aziziye region in the south of the Libya's capital Tripoli, the country's interior ministry said in a statement on social media.

The ministry said that the mass grave was found in Sadiyah area, which was re-captured from the warlord Khalifa Haftar's militias, and added it was reported to the public prosecutor's office.

It is found that a mother, father and two children were buried in the mass grave.

The investigation is under way.

Libya's internationally recognised government, also known as the Government of National Accord, has been under attack by Haftar's forces since April 2019, with more than 1,000 killed in the violence.

In March, the Libyan government launched Operation Peace Storm to counter attacks on the capital and recently regained strategic locations, including the Al Watiya airbase, in a major blow to Haftar's forces.

Malta seizes $1.1B counterfeit Libyan currency

Meanwhile, "the US commended the Government of the Republic of Malta’s announcement May 26 of its seizure of $1.1 billion of counterfeit Libyan currency printed by Joint Stock Company Goznak — a Russian state-owned company — and ordered by an illegitimate parallel entity," according to a press statement.

"The Central Bank of Libya headquartered in Tripoli is Libya’s only legitimate central bank.  The influx of counterfeit, Russian-printed Libyan currency in recent years has exacerbated Libya’s economic challenges. "

"The United States remains committed to working with the United Nations and international partners to deter illicit activities that undermine Libya’s sovereignty and stability, and are inconsistent with internationally-recognised sanctions regimes," it said.

Turkey will not allow uncertainty in Libya – Turkish VP

Turkey will not allow any uncertainty in Libya, said Vice President Fuat Oktay on Friday, and voiced full support for Libya's legitimate UN-backed government.

Speaking at a virtual meeting of Atlantic Council and Turkish Heritage Organization, Oktay stressed that illegal forces loyal to warlord Haftar should recognise Prime Minister Fayez al Sarraj's government.

"Any uncertainty within the region costs Turkey and Turkish people," Oktay said, citing the Syrian civil war, which he said pushed nearly four million refugees into Turkey.

Ankara wants nothing but a stable neighbour since the beginning of war in 2011, he said and added Turkey desires the same for Libya.

"Turkey is standing behind the legitimacy," he added.

"We have no other way to help," said Oktay after Libya's government asked for support, while some countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and France, back Haftar forces.

The vice president said Turkey and Libya also share common interests in the Eastern Mediterranean region, so Ankara will "make sure the legitimate government cannot be threatened by any dictator or any terrorist like Haftar".

"We will be there no matter what the outcomes. So we are decisive on that," he said. "President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan made it very open to the rest of the world and we hope that EU, US and other including Russia will understand that."

Libya has been torn by civil war since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. 

Libya's new government was founded in 2015 under a UN-led agreement, but efforts for a long-term political settlement failed due to the military offensive by Haftar’s forces.