Violent scenes in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi.

Forces loyal to retired general Khalifa Haftar launched a major air-and-ground attack on Friday to rid the country of Islamist hardliners.

Scores of people have been killed in the clashes over the weekend between these gunmen and government forces.

As the fighting continues here, heavily armed fighters stormed parliament in the capital Tripoli on Sunday, demanding its suspension.

The details are unclear but Haftar loyalists say he also backed that attack.

At this news conference Haftar said he was readying for battle.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RETIRED LIBYAN GENERAL KHALIFA HAFTAR SAYING:

"All the forces are there and they are getting ready. In the military when we launch a battle, it is followed by reorganising our troops, then we return with strength. It is impossible for us to go back on this matter. We will never retreat until we reach our goals."

This is some of the worst fighting sin