...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...- the commander of the Libyan self-styled army - their support for his intended military operations to control 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...
, London-based al-Arab newspaper reported Saturday, citing sources close to Haftar.
The newspaper said Haftar met with French officials, including the Foreign Minister, on the sidelines of Palermo Conference on November 12-13, discussing his intent to militarily advance on Tripoli and thus receiving a go-ahead signal from the French days later.
"Haftar understood that La Belle France is in support for his military operations in Tripoli and that he will receive funds and political support from it, to be added to its previous support for him in Benghazi and Derna." The sources added.
"He already started to lay down some military tactics for the operations. He was motivated by the French green light." The sources further added.
Hafatr and his loyalist have more than once vowed to carry out a military operation in Tripoli in order to control it and "liberate it from militias."
"La Belle France tried to urge regional powers to support Haftar in his move into the Libyan capital, but they had expressed some qualms and said the step could be seen as a coup." The sources explained, adding that La Belle France tempted Haftar into the move by saying it would urge the UN Security Council to partially remove the arms ban on Libya so his forces can be more prepared for the battle.
La Belle France, out of other supporters, has been involved in Haftar's alleged war on terror in Benghazi and the rest of the eastern region, with many reports revealing that it had boots on the ground in Libya fighting alongside Haftar's forces in Benghazi, besides its backup
s that had always helped Haftar gain more and lose less.