...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, so it's kind of hard to describe him as a Qadaffy holdover. 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 statements about advancing on the frontlines of 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...
war aren't backed by tangible results or serious progress.
Dengov added on Monday that Russia saw that Haftar was active over the last three days as he warned Misrata brigades against staying in Tripoli and threatened to attack the city if it didn't comply.
"Haftar understands that Misrata is protecting western Libya, but after three days of the first ultimatum, he gave another three days, which means he isn't advancing." Dengov added.
Haftar's front man Ahmed al-Mismari said last Sunday that they had gave three more days for Misrata brigades to leave Tripoli. The deadline ends Wednesday.
On Friday, al-Mismari vowed to continue
...KABOOM!...
s on Misrata on a daily basis if its armed factions didn't leave Tripoli and Sirte. Misrata responded to such threats by announcing full mobilization of forces to defeat Haftar's forces, saying it has no delegation engaged in talks with Haftar.