KABUL: (Middle East Press) General Khalifa Haftar has been sworn in as army chief by Libya’s UN-recognized government based in Tobruk, as his warplanes attacked a rival administration in Tripoli.
As he was sworn in by Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni’s government on Monday, Haftar pledged to continue battling what he calls “terrorism” until it is eliminated.
Haftar said that he will continue fighting terrorism all over the country until we completely eliminate it so that people can live in peace.
Haftar has been leading a fight against militia groups in Benghazi since last year.
With the rival governments engaging in UN-brokered talks to try and form a unity government, Haftar’s appointment raises concerns that fighting could increase.
Haftar helped Muammar Gaddafi come to power but fell out with him in the 1980s. He joined the 2011 rebellion against Gaddafi and re-emerged on the political stage last year.
The Tripoli government, recognized by Libyan courts, consider Haftar a war criminal.
Warplanes controlled by Haftar continued their attacks on Tripoli on Monday, and his forces remain engaged in a battle for Benghazi.
Author
