...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...Ali al-Tabawi has resigned over "racial discrimination."
The coordinator said Saturday that racism and robbery in Sabha and Ghadwa town reaffirm the need for a national army that cares for the protection of people and constitution not tribal militias who had wreaked havoc in the country, especially in Sabha.
Haftar's forces launched last month an operation in southern Libya aiming to "secure the southern region against foreign mercenaries and terrorism."
On Friday, four of Haftar-commanded fighters were killed and three others were maimed due to festivities in Ghadwa town in southern Libya.
An official at the World Health Organization (WHO) said the fighting had killed 14 and maimed 64, mostly from the "Haftar's opponents."
Meanwhile,
...back at the shootout, Butch clutched at his other shoulder......
Tabu National Gathering condemned the actions of Haftar's forces in southern Libya as they have among them conflicting tribes and thus helping - logistically and militarily - some tribes over others.
Haftar's forces in southern Libya are made up from Awlad Sulaiman tribe including Brigade 128 headed by Hassan al-Zadma, and Deterrence Brigade led by Masoud al-Jadi, which is at odds with Tabu rustics.
A military operations room is based in southern Libya and includes opponents of Tabu and Qadaffy tribes in the region