Libya's Gen Khalifa Haftar, whose forces are fighting the UN-backed government in the capital Tripoli, has accepted the "popular mandate" to govern the country, he said in a televised address on Monday.
His declaration was dismissed as "the final, desperate act of a defeated man," by an adviser to Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).
"Haftar has once more exposed his authoritarian intentions to the world," said GNA adviser Mohammed Ali Abdallah adding, "he no longer seeks to conceal his contempt for a political solution and democracy in Libya."
Libya has been wracked by conflict since the 2011 uprising which ousted long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The Libyan National Army (LNA), which is loyal to Gen Haftar, controls most of eastern Libya.
His forces have been trying to capture Tripoli and its surrounding areas - which are controlled by the GNA - for more than a year.
Speaking on Monday, Gen Haftar reportedly told TV viewers:
"We announce that the general command is answering the will of the people, despite the heavy burden and the many obligations and the size of the responsibility, and we will be subject to the people's wish."
He promised to "put in place the necessary conditions to build the permanent institutions of a civil state", according to AFP news agency.
But he did not offer details of what the new structure would look like, the Reuters news agency reports.
Latest Stories
-
#JustTurned18: First-time voters critical to deciding 2024 presidential election
33 mins -
Video: EC lied that the cost per voter in 2020 was $7.7; it was $12.5 – Bright Simons
38 mins -
Former IGP passes on
47 mins -
Ejisu by-election: Kwadaso MP gave money to EC officials out of goodwill – Ahiagbah
1 hour -
Millennium City: Land owner breaks silence on fatal shooting of soldier
1 hour -
Photos of 2024 Aboakyer Festival
2 hours -
#JustTurned18: I now have an opportunity to use my thumb to bring someone into power – Excited prospective voters
2 hours -
OSP acted as a whistleblower transferring Cecilia Dapaah’s case to EOCO – Sammy Darko
2 hours -
IMF calls for tariff adjustment for energy sector cost recovery
3 hours -
Samson’s Take: Journalists, block the pretentious idiots
4 hours -
Real Madrid crowned LaLiga champions after Barcelona’s defeat at Girona
4 hours -
Daniel Otting Awuah elected SRC President of Ghana School of Law
5 hours -
Lawrence Ati-Zigi signs St. Gallen contract extension
5 hours -
We should be careful not to destroy our institutions without just cause – Serebour Quaicoe
6 hours -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: EOCO hasn’t requested FBI report – Office of the Special Prosecutor
8 hours