Tripoli, Apr 28 (IANS): Khalifa Haftar, commander of the eastern-based army of Libya, has announced cancelling the UN-sponsored political agreement.

Haftar made the announcement in a televised speech on Monday, claiming it's "people's authorization" for him to run the country, reports Xinhua news agency.

No official statements have been issued yet from the eastern-based parliament or the eastern-based government regarding Haftar's remarks.

In December 2015, Libyan rival parties signed a UN-political agreement in Morocco that appointed the UN-backed Government of National Accord, in an attempt to end the state of political division in the country.

However, Libya remains politically divided between eastern and western governments competing for dominance.

Haftar's eastern-based army has been leading a military campaign in and around the capital Tripoli since April 2019, attempting to take over the city and topple the rival UN-backed government.

The fighting has killed and injured thousands of people and forced more than 150,000 to flee their homes.