The Libyan National Unity Government announced a curfew that began on the evening of Saturday, September 9, 2023, until the day after tomorrow, Monday, in preparation for expected storms and rains.

The Ministry of Interior in the government headed by Abdul Hamid Dbeibah stated in a statement that the curfew will start after 8 PM on Saturday until Monday, and it called for evacuating areas and closing all commercial establishments adjacent to the Libyan coastline and low-lying areas near valleys.

The ministry also requested citizens to respond to the announced security and humanitarian measures by evacuating their residences and cooperating with armed forces, the Ministry of Interior, humanitarian organizations, the Libyan Red Crescent, and health ministry teams.

Earlier, a spokesperson for the Libyan National Army in the east stated on Saturday that the General Command of the army announced a heightened state of alert and readiness for its forces to face the expected storms and rains, while Dbeibah in the west instructed the formation of emergency teams.

The spokesperson for the Libyan army in the east, Ahmad al-Mismari, mentioned in an audio recording that "based on strict instructions, the Commander-in-Chief Khalifa Haftar directed all military units to raise their state of readiness and maximum preparedness to face the expected storms and heavy rains in the coming days."

Al-Mismari indicated that Haftar also directed "to take necessary measures for rescue and protection operations in areas that will be affected by these anticipated weather fluctuations."

The Libyan newspaper "Al-Marsad" reported from the General Command that preparations include potential intervention and rescue operations in areas that will be affected by the storm.

It also quoted the General Command urging citizens to "take precautions and follow safety instructions and not expose themselves to danger."