...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..., has arrived in Benina airport in Benghazi this evening after about 20 days of treatment in Gay Paree.
Haftar's arrival was celebrated by members of House of Representatives, his Dignity Operation military formations, elders and others from the eastern region: mainly those from tribes loyal to his self-styled army.
"We are going to continue to do our best to win the battle for Libya. Now our army has been ranked 9th on the African countries' list. We all should be proud." Haftar told his loyalist in a ceremonial hall in Benina airport.
He added that it's time for the military to carry out the mission, telling his loyalists to keep away from elections as they could be "a scheme."
"Elections might be right, but they might be a scheme too, so we need the army to call the shots." He added.
Over the last twenty days, media reports brought in hundreds of news stories of conflicting news about Haftar's health ranging from he had a stroke to he had an irreversible brain damage, with little details given by his aides to squash allegations.