NEW YORK – An urgent UN Security Council meeting regarding the situationin Libya called on Friday at 15:00 (19:00 GMT), the United Kingdom’smission announced.

Earlier on Thursday, the Al-Arabiya broadcaster reported that the LibyanNational Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar ordered his troopsto launch an offensive on Tripoli to liberate the city from terrorists.

Haftar issued the order after the LNA took control over cities of Surmanand Garyan, which previously were under the authority of the UN-supportedinterim Government of National Accord. Haftar reportedly called on the LNAforces to ensure the safety of foreigners in Tripoli and not to shootat civilians.

The UN Security Council is expected to convene for closed sessionconsultations on Friday, the diplomatic source said.