In what may lead to a flare-up in already tense ties with Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar, head of the Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, is intent on appointing a military chief for southern Libya. Local media said that Sarraj, in coordination with Higher Council of State chief Khaled al-Mishri, was seeking to counter the military offensive that Haftar had announced last week to rid the South of criminal and terrorist groups. Sarraj’s move had garnered the conditional support of Misrata after he met with senior officials and elders from the city. He informed them that the GNA was working on economic reforms in the city. In return, the delegation urged him to resolve the issue of armed groups that are hampering these reforms and still creating instability. Meanwhile, the LNA announced that its forces have deployed in southern Libya as part of their counter-terrorism operation. The forces were deployed in Sabha city and some regions, such as al-Qatroun and Obari, have welcome the arrival of the army. Separately, the LNA had accused on Wednesday head of the United Nations mission in Libya, Ghassan Salame, of working against the army. LNA official spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari declared: “The fact is that Salame has turned into an opponent ... and has become part of the Libyan crisis.” He made his remarks after the envoy had expressed “deep concern” over the LNA’s operation in the South.