Khalifa Belqasim Haftar
Encyclopedia
Khalifa Belqasim Haftar is a senior military officer in Libya
. In April 2011, he was reported as holding the rank of lieutenant general
.
Formerly one of Muammar Gaddafi
's army commanders in the Chadian–Libyan conflict, he fell out with the regime when Libya lost the war, and sought exile in the United States
. Some sources have reported ties with the US Central Intelligence Agency
. After falling out with the Gaddafi regime, Haftar set up his own militia financed by the CIA, according to the 2001 book Manipulations africaines, published by Le Monde diplomatique
. After entering the United States in the 1990s, Haftar took up residence in Vienna, Virginia
, five miles outside of Langley, Virginia
.
In 2011 he returned to Libya to support the civil war
. In March, a military spokesperson announced that Haftar had been appointed commander of the military, though the National Transitional Council
denied this. By April, Abdul Fatah Younis
held the role of commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Omar El-Hariri
serving as Younis's Chief of Staff
and Haftar took the third most senior position as the commander of ground forces with the rank of lieutenant general
.
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
. In April 2011, he was reported as holding the rank of lieutenant general
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
.
Formerly one of Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
's army commanders in the Chadian–Libyan conflict, he fell out with the regime when Libya lost the war, and sought exile in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Some sources have reported ties with the US Central Intelligence Agency
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
. After falling out with the Gaddafi regime, Haftar set up his own militia financed by the CIA, according to the 2001 book Manipulations africaines, published by Le Monde diplomatique
Le Monde diplomatique
Le Monde diplomatique is a monthly newspaper offering analysis and opinion on politics, culture, and current affairs. It was first created mainly for a diplomatic audience as its name implies...
. After entering the United States in the 1990s, Haftar took up residence in Vienna, Virginia
Vienna, Virginia
Vienna is a town in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, it had a population of 15,687. Significantly more people live in zip codes with the Vienna postal addresses bordered approximately by Interstate 66 on the south, Interstate 495 on the east, Route 7 to...
, five miles outside of Langley, Virginia
Langley, Virginia
Langley is an unincorporated community in the census-designated place of McLean in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States.The community was essentially absorbed into McLean many years ago, although there is still a Langley High School...
.
In 2011 he returned to Libya to support the civil war
2011 Libyan civil war
The 2011 Libyan civil war was an armed conflict in the North African state of Libya, fought between forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and those seeking to oust his government. The war was preceded by protests in Benghazi beginning on 15 February 2011, which led to clashes with security...
. In March, a military spokesperson announced that Haftar had been appointed commander of the military, though the National Transitional Council
National Transitional Council
The National Transitional Council of Libya , sometimes known as the Transitional National Council, the Interim National Council, or the Libyan National Council,...
denied this. By April, Abdul Fatah Younis
Abdul Fatah Younis
Abdul Fatah Younis , sometimes transliterated Fattah Younis or Fattah Younes or Fatah Younes, was a senior military officer in Libya. He held the rank of Major General and the post of Minister of Interior, but resigned on 22 February 2011 to defect to the rebel side in what was to become the 2011...
held the role of commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Omar El-Hariri
Omar El-Hariri
Omar Mokhtar El-Hariri was a leading figure of the National Transitional Council of Libya who formerly served as the Minister of Military Affairs. He controlled the National Liberation Army and the Free Libyan Air Force from March to May 2011...
serving as Younis's Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
and Haftar took the third most senior position as the commander of ground forces with the rank of lieutenant general
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
.
External links
- UNHCR report on Khalifah Haftar citing his previous anti-regime activities and subsequent exile