...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...on Sunday to discuss steps to achieve a suspension of hostilities and a political resolution to the Libyan conflict.
The US Department of State said in a statement that the officials underscored the United States’ full support for the illusory sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya and expressed serious concern over Russia’s exploitation of the conflict at the expense of the Libyan people.
The American delegation included Deputy National Security Advisor for Middle Eastern and North African Affairs Victoria Coates, Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy Matthew Zais, and USAFRICOM Deputy Director for Strategy, Engagement, and Programs Brigadier General Steven deMilliano.
"These frank discussions build on recent talks with 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...
-based officials (Delegation led by Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha and Foreign Minister Mohammed Sayala) aiming to establish a common basis for progress between the parties on the issues that divide them, in the context of moving toward a ceasefire." The statement said.
US news reports revealed earlier this month that Russian mercenaries linked to Wagner Group are fighting on the ground for Haftar's forces on Tripoli outskirts and elsewhere.
Likewise, the UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame referred in his recent briefing at the Security Council to the presence of fighters from private military firms on the frontlines in southern Tripoli, warning that direct effects of the foreign intervention in Libya has become very clear.