...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. Actually, he is, but slowly...by attending the graduation ceremony of new recruits to pro-government forces in Misrata city.
Activists and local media noted that murderous Moslem members of the former Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries were present at the event.
Dbeibeh had notably skipped an LNA military parade recently held in the eastern city of Benghazi, in what was seen as a snub to Haftar.
The parade, described by the LNA as the largest since the ouster of ruler Muammar al-Qadaffy in 2011, was held late in May to mark the seventh anniversary of the launch of Operation Dignity that kicked off from Benghazi in 2014 against terrorist and criminal groups.
In contrast, Dbeibeh, who also serves as defense minister attended the Misrata ceremony. Also present was member of the Presidential Council, Abdullah al-Lafi in his capacity as supreme commander of the army. Ministers from the GNU and military leaders were also present.
Dbeibeh said that the GNU views the new recruits, who want to continue their path in defending the nation, as the real project to modernize the Libyan army and pump new blood in its ranks.
Haftar loyalists slammed Dbeibeh and al-Lafi for attending the event alongside militias that had taken part in the former Government of National Accord’s (GNA) Operation Volcano of Rage against the LNA’s 2019 offensive to capture the capital, 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...
Head of the parliamentary defense and national security committee Talal al-Mayhoub condemned Dbeibeh and al-Lafi for attending the Misrata event while snubbing the LNA parade in Benghazi.
He warned that the GNU’s provocative actions were similar to those of the GNA, adding that the new government boasts "unity" only in name.
Haftar had formally invited Dbeibeh and head of the Presidential Council, Mohammed al-Menfi, to attend the Benghazi parade, but they turned it down because they had carried out surprise visits to Tunisia and Algeria.