...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..., met with the UK ambassador Frank Baker on Friday in al-Rajma - east of Benghazi.
Baker and Haftar talked about the forthcoming Palermo Conference in Italia and recent developments in the Libyan crisis, the media office of Haftar's command reported.
The meeting came after Haftar had returned from Russia, where he met military officials, including the defense minister.
Rome reported Friday that Haftar confirmed his attendance to the conference after the Italian external intelligence chief carried out a flying visit to Moscow on Thursday, Aki stated.
EU also confirmed that its High Representative of the for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini will be present at the Palermo Conference on Libya.
The EU said the conference will aim at finding a solution to end the political deadlock in Libya and help boost and support the efforts of the UNSMIL in that regard, in addition to discussing elections and security and economic reforms.