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Interior Minister: UAE sending military support for Haftar's war on Tripoli
[Libya Observer] The Interior Minister of the Presidential Council's government Fathi Bashagha has accused the UAE of sending Khalifa Haftar ...Self-proclaimed Field Marshal, served in the Libyan army under Muammar Qadaffy, and took part in the coup that brought Qadaffy to power in 1969. He became a prisoner of war in Chad in 1987. While held prisoner, he and his fellow officers formed a group hoping to overthrow Qadaffy. He was released around 1990 in a deal with the United States government and spent nearly two decades in the United States, gaining US citizenship. In 1993, while living in the United States, he was convicted in absentia of crimes against the Jamahiriya and sentenced to death. Haftar held a senior position in the anti-Qadaffy forces in the 2011 Libyan Civil War. In 2014 he was commander of the Libyan Army when the General National Congress (GNC) refused to give up power in accordance with its term of office. Haftar launched a campaign against the GNC and its Islamic fundamentalist allies. His campaign allowed elections to take place to replace the GNC, but then developed into a civil war. Guess you can't win them all...military support for his war on Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... in a clear violation of the international law. Bashagha told Alhurra TV Channel on Friday that they received information about an aircraft that came from UAE and landed in Benghazi's Benina Airport with military equipment for Haftar's forces in violation of the UN arms embargo. He called on Egypt and Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... to support Libyans not the individual named Haftar as betting on a person rather than the entire people is a losing bet. "Our forces in Tripoli will turn from defense to offense to foil the advance of the attacking forces and push them to their previous positions." Bashagha remarked. He said his government regards Haftar as an illegitimate party and his forces as militias, and those who think he has built an army are delusional as the only Libyan army can be formed just when the constitution is approved. "How can a national army attack a city of it's own country." He asked, denying any talks with Haftar saying "we don't negotiate with a warlord." "A ceasefire can take place only if Haftar's forces withdrew to their previous positions. Then we can have a dialogue with eastern elders and tribes; those who care for the wellbeing of the country as a whole." Bashagha explained. He also said that the captured fighters from Haftar's forces are being treated well and they will be set free to return home soon. Posted by: Fred 2019-04-14 |
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