|
Spokesman for Haftar's forces: UN can't stop our Tripoli entry
 ...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...'s forces Ahmed al-Mismari said the support of the UN for the Presidential Council's government won't hinder their forces' advance 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... Al-Mismari accused Friday forces loyal to the Presidential Council of targeting civilian houses but then contradicted himself by saying their forces are advancing under an air cover. He also described the Presidential Council forces, which is internationally recognized, as criminal gangs, adding that funding them will prolong the fighting and cause more casualties. Haftar's forces have been leading an offensive since April 04 in different southern Tripoli frontlines in an attempt to enter the capital, but they are being thwarted by Libyan Army forces under the command of Presidential Council. Over 140 people have been killed so far from both sides, while over 6000 others have been displaced from conflict zones, let alone the damage in public and private properties. Posted by: Fred 2019-04-14 |
|
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=538747 |