Western war on Libya

[angelburst29]

Here is JoanneM's latest

Understand this if nothing else, Khalifa Haftar is a terrorist hand puppet of the CIA. He is a thief, a liar, a thug, and a traitor to Libya. He threatens legitimate Libyans daily and uses the NSA listening equipment (brought into Libya in 2011) to target any Libya who speaks his name. Khalifa Haftar would not ever be supported by Russia. This lie has been perpetrated in the mainstream for years. Now they have stepped up their game and have stated that Russian mercenaries are in Libya supporting Haftar at the behest of the leader of Russia. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

JoanneM might be a little off - on this one - by a long shot! I have, as yet, come across any information that even suggests that Haftar has any connections to the CIA. Give me a lead and I'll follow it up and retract my statement - if it "proves" Haftar is in bed with the CIA.

Khalifa Haftar served in the Libyan army under Muammar Gaddafi, and took part in the coup that brought Gaddafi to power in 1969. He took part in the Libyan contingent against Israel in the Yom Kippur War of 1973.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haftar

Haftar was a close ally of Gaddafi AND as noted above, Israel hates him. That's two strikes against Haftar, add to that, the distain of the unelected puppet government the US installed. Kind of - the same blue print they are trying to pull off in Venezuela. Difference there, they tried to assassinate Maduro - but failed. Recently, Haftar and his troops reclaimed a field of oil wells that the puppet government were using the proceeds for their own expenses. Sound familiar? (Syria) Haftar and his troops are trying to reclaim enough of Libya to eventually oust the US puppets - so they can hold free elections and perhaps, the Libyans would nominate Gaddafi's Son, Saif as their next elected ruler?

Now they have stepped up their game and have stated that Russian mercenaries are in Libya supporting Haftar at the behest of the leader of Russia. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

31/01/2019 - Russia's Wagner group offers to help Khalifa Haftar in the Fezzan
LIBYA : Russia's Wagner group offers to help Khalifa Haftar in the Fezzan

In addition to the diplomatic support given him by Moscow, Khalifa Haftar also receives less public Russian aid via military services company ChVK Wagner. The company, which is in the private sector but under the authority of the Kremlin.

Khalifa Haftar himself paid a visit to Russian military chiefs on the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov in the Mediterranean in January 2017 and has visited Russia on several occasions. It was there in 2016 that he met Nikolai Patrushev , head of African operations at the Security Council of Russia (SCR).

Thursday 8 November 2018 - Haftar meets Russian defense minister in Moscow
Haftar meets Russian defence minister in Moscow

Parts of Haftar’s visit to Russia (Photo: Social Media)

Russia’s defense minister Sergei Shoigu met with the Libyan commander of the self-styled army Khalifa Haftar in Moscow on Wednesday, Russian media reported.

Shoigu and Haftar discussed the Libyan crisis and the security situation in the Middle East and North Africa, Russian news agencies said, citing a defense ministry statement.

12 Aug, 2017 - Libya’s military strongman Haftar to meet Russian FM Lavrov in Moscow
Libya’s military strongman Haftar to meet Russian FM Lavrov in Moscow

General Khalifa Haftar, the Egypt-linked Libyan military commander, is arriving in Moscow on Saturday for a series of meetings with Russian diplomatic and military figures. The general represents one of major centers of power in the divided country.

Haftar is to meet on Monday Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and possibly some senior officials from the Defense Ministry, Lev Dengov, Russian special envoy for Libya, told RIA Novosti.

“Who and under what circumstances he would meet is, so to speak, not being broadcast yet,” he explained.

It is Haftar’s third trip to Russia. The previous visit was in November 2016, when he also met Lavrov.

At the moment two groups claiming to be Libya’s national government operate in the country, one based in Tripoli and another one in Tobruk in the east, while independent or semi-independent militias pursue their own goals with little restraint.

Haftar, who commands the loyalty of troops that consider themselves part of the Libyan National Army, backs the government in Tobruk, but remains a largely independent player.

Dengov said Russia is involved in mediation between Haftar and Sarraj, who visited Moscow in early March. “Russia’s position on the issue is that we should talk to all sides of the conflict. On our part we are trying to help the parties agree and bring peace to Libya,” the Russian diplomat said.

November 29, 2016 - Libyan Commander visits Russia to ask for help fighting Islamists
Libyan commander visits Russia to ask for help fighting Islamists

Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar, the dominant figure in the divided country’s east, met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday and said he was seeking Moscow’s help in his fight against Islamist militants at home.

Libya splintered into rival political and armed groupings after the uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 and remains deeply divided between factions based in the east and west that back rival governments and parliaments.

Haftar, who is aligned with the eastern parliament and government, has been fighting a two-year military campaign with his Libyan National Army against Islamists and other opponents in Benghazi and elsewhere in the east.

A U.N. arms embargo in place since 2011 prohibits the transfer of weapons into Libya. Only the country’s U.N.-backed government in Tripoli, which Haftar opposes, can bring in weapons and related materiel with the approval of a U.N. Security Council committee.

“Moscow is in touch with various Libyan representatives and contacts with Haftar take place as part of this process,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.

The Libyan east-based Interim Government has sold bonds worth more than $23 billion to fund its wage bill, bypassing the Central Bank of Libya in Tripoli and creating a potential financial black hole if the country reunifies, Reuters reported bankers and diplomats as saying.

Libya's parallel government sold $23 billion worth of bonds to cover employees' salaries Thursday 7 March 2019
Libya's parallel government sold $23 billion worth of bonds to cover employees' salaries

Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi is in support of holding presidential elections as soon as possible, criticizing the United Nations delegate to Libya for his proposal to hold the vote only by year-end, Bloomberg reported his aide as saying on Saturday.

Saif Gaddafi criticizes UN's delay of elections Sunday 13 January 2019
Saif Gaddafi criticizes UN's delay of elections

Mohamed Al-Qailoushi said, citing Said Gaddafi, that any delay creates more problems, adding that the only solution is elections.

“if you maintain the current political situation, that is not in the Libyan people’s interests.” Gaddafi was quoted as saying by his aide, who rejected to reveal his whereabouts.

UN delegate Ghassan Salame said on Al Hurra TV channel: “We should first hold parliamentary elections, then a referendum on the constitution and then presidential elections — God willing — by the end of the year.

 

[goyacobol]

12 Aug, 2017 - Libya’s military strongman Haftar to meet Russian FM Lavrov in Moscow
Libya’s military strongman Haftar to meet Russian FM Lavrov in Moscow

Haftar has received public backing from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, and France sent special forces to work alongside Haftar’s Libyan National Army earlier this year. Recent military advances by Haftar’s forces have boosted his popularity at home.

The visit by Haftar to Moscow was in 2017 and he didn't really get much direct Russian help then (and a lot has happened since then) but I found it interesting that France sent special forces to work "alongside Haftar's Libyan National Army".

What an intermingled tangled web they weave. 🕷

I am kind of rooting for Said Gaddafi (his full amnesty was declared by the Tobruk-based government led by Khalifa Haftar) but I may have it all wrong FWIW.

 

[Voyageur]

Give me a lead and I'll follow it up and retract my statement - if it "proves" Haftar is in bed with the CIA.

Indeed, it will have to be looked into starting with JoanneM who has seemed to have had an inside track. Will see.

 

[Voyageur]

JoanneM might be a little off - on this one - by a long shot! I have, as yet, come across any information that even suggests that Haftar has any connections to the CIA. Give me a lead and I'll follow it up and retract my statement - if it "proves" Haftar is in bed with the CIA.

Indeed, it will have to be looked into starting with JoanneM who has seemed to have had an inside track. Will see.

No one has added to this, so I'll offer my 2 cents on the division of thoughts on the issue of Khalifa Haftar - and it may be well off.

Since following the savage incursion into Libya it has indeed been a drawn out process to see who was who in wars wake. Joanne and her husband of course were boots on the ground and for any following what was revealed it was not a fun experience. They were interviewed a few times on SOTT and I tried to think back on whether or not Haftar was brought up. If Haftar was, it would be the same thing they have been saying on their website since 2014, like here, here, & here. Those are just three links from the first page of four pages concerning Haftar, and nothing is complementary, in fact they carry his story through to 2019 (as shown above) - 37 entries in total. Do they have a bias?

In one of the links it cites 'Why Haftar visits UAE discreetly?' And others concern Haftar's handlers switching from CIA to Mossad .

In 2017 one article cites 'Khalifa Haftar (CIA) Hires DC Lobby Group to Promote Himself As Libyan Ruler' and some background on the General is included:

Khalifa Haftar was in the Libyan army under Ghadafi and took part in the Chadian wars of the 1970's and 80's. While fighting in Chad, when it appeared that Libya was going to lose the war, he decided to join the CIA and starting fighting against Libya, When it appeared that the war was ending, Ghadafi demanded that Haftar be returned to Libya but the CIA airlifted him to the US and installed him in Langley, VA as a CIA operative. He lived there in Langley quite comfortably on the backs of the US tax payers for over 20 years. During that time, Khalifa Haftar was tried for treason in Tripoli, in absentia, found guilty and sentenced to death.

Not a good resume of confidence for Ghadafi's inner circle in the last part of his life.

It continues:

But, Haftar had grand illusions to be the leader of Libya. So, he waited for his big break and it came in 2011 when the US/NATO created a false flag revolution to illegally overthrow the legitimate Libyan government.

Haftar was dropped into Libya by the CIA in 2011 to lead the so called "rebels" - 90% of which were radical mercenaries brought into Libya from other countries and 10% were Libyan criminal Islamic radicals who had either been imprisoned or had been living in exile because radical Islamist's were outlawed in Libya.

After Haftar took part in the criminal destruction of Libya and the killing of hundreds of thousands of Libyans, he seemed to miraculously have some kind of "wake up" call that made him decide to act like he was now on the side of the legitimate Libyans against the radical militias and mercenaries who were holding Libya by force. Haftar then went about lobbying the HOR (House of Representatives) in Tobruk (the only elected government in Libya) to make him the leader of the Libyan army. Haftar is the only man would could actually get weapons into Libya (being CIA) as the UN holds an embargo against arming the Libyan army since 2011. Consequently, the Libyans were forced to make him the leader of the army or have no hope to cleanse their country of the radical mercenaries who were being armed daily by Turkey and Qatar. Even though he is the leader of the LNA, the Libyan people/tribes are not fooled by him, he has very little support in Libya and even less support in the army. His big claim of victories across Libya have all been accomplished by the Green Resistance, an underground pro Jamahiriya group actively fighting, doing the hard work but letting Haftar take the credit. The Libyans have learned the dirty game of the Khazarian Zionists, they know that Haftar is one of theirs and they will most likely leave Libya alone as long as their guy is out front.

Here is the question that begs to be answered.... How is it that Khalifa Haftar is able to jet set all around the world, promoting himself as the future leader of Libya, meanwhile inside Libya there is no money for medicine, food, electricity has no repair and constantly out, water supplies are tainted, and absolutely no infrastructure repair or maintenance at all. The answer to this question is very simple, Khalifa Haftar lives in the deep pockets of the CIA.

To add injury to insult, Haftar has a son that is guilty of bank robbery in Tripoli causing grave injury to some civilians. Haftar turned a blind eye to the crimes of his son and instead made him a leader in the army.

Currently, Haftar is in hot water for the tortuous death of 36 Libyans whose bodies were thrown on the ground outside of Benghazi. It was known that Haftar had been holding these men captive.
[...]
All the world knows Haftar is CIA and that makes him ineligible for leadership in Libya and actually ineligible to be a Libyan citizen. Remove the UN weapons sanctions from the Libyan National Army and Haftar will crawl back into the hole from which he came.

Thereafter documents are shown with Haftar originating out of the US (dated 2017) including from the consultant listed above.

Is it all BS?

SoTT has been carrying some of the same stories with 13 pages of Khalifa Haftar links (checked a few).

In 2016 things seem to shift after Lavrov starts meeting with Haftar - from Sputnik:

It is the third visit of the Libyan National Army commander to Moscow. He held a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in June 2016 and a meeting with Lavrov in November 2016, during which Haftar already asked Russia for military aid supplies in order to fight against the Islamists.

Sounds like their aims would be in alignment.

Sputnik again: Is Russia about to mend what West left broken in Libya?

There is a lot in this article, and then this is referenced:

Another condition to be considered is the role of the US in Libya under President Trump, whose people have had their contacts with Haftar and would not be thrilled with his increased cooperation with Russia.

From what you had above, angleburst29, which I agree looks promising, it said:

Dengov said Russia is involved in mediation between Haftar and Sarraj, who visited Moscow in early March. “Russia’s position on the issue is that we should talk to all sides of the conflict. On our part we are trying to help the parties agree and bring peace to Libya,” the Russian diplomat said.

That is smart, and so is it smart to talk with Haftar and Sarraj (this mediation between them). Which brings up Sarraj (again from JoanneM):

02/05/2019
Muslim Brotherhood and other Terrorist Groups Illegally Claim Libyan Leadership

In Libya there are 3 factions calling themselves legitimate governments and stating that they speak for the Libyan people. In reality, there is only ONE duly elected government in Libya. That would be the House of Representatives residing in the East of Libya in the city of Tobruk.

The second so called government is the GNC, or Government of National Accord installed by the UN in 2015 (led by Fayez al-Sarraj) without the consent of the Libyan people. And regardless of what you read on Wikipedia, the House of Representatives did not agree with the so called "Libyan Political Agreement" which was used as an excuse to install their puppet government by the dark of night. The HOR has pulled any assumed support for this agreement. However you will not read that on the internet. If you go to "Libyan Political Agreement" on Wikipedia it will forward you to the House of Representatives and it will state there that Mr. Aguila Saleh Issa (head of the HOR) expressed his support for this agreement. What it does not say is that all support was pulled and there is no existing agreement between the UN puppet government of Sarraj and the legitimately elected government of Libya the House of Representatives. If there was an actual agreement made then why did the UN puppet appointed people have to sneak into Tripoli by the dark of night (by boat) and then hide at the Mitiga airport until they were protected by the militias to go out in public and have the UN immediately recognize them as the legitimate Libyan government?

This then comes around to Khaled al Mishr "...we come to point of this article. The self acclaimed leader of the phony terrorist High Council of State, Khaled al-Mishri, is one of the leaders of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, a designated world wide terrorist organization. So, as a self proclaimed "advisor" to the two other governments, he has arrived in the USA this week and will be speaking on behalf of the Libyan people in Washington DC on the 6th of February. It would never be possible to imagine that this criminal terrorist speaks for the legitimate Libyan people. These terrorists were put into power by Clinton/Obama/UN/NATO in 2011. They were taken out of power by vote of the Libyan people in 2014, but attacked the legitimately elected House of Representatives in Tripoli with guns and bombs and forced them into exile in Tobruk."

This goes on.

One of the things, OSIT, is that often when we see fugues (let say like Lavrov) dialoguing with a man like Haftar in person (during State visits) and then whatever is put out in the press, we can possible think they are more aligned in purpose than they really are. Each may be trying to mine the other and each knows there are others watching their every word.

So, I can't say 100% one way or the other and would likely be completely wrong. However, what is it that is known? The Russian's are supper smart at reading the map and so are the American's and the Israelis - powerful influences. Libya is an obvious mess and a power-vacuum was created. Then there are the people and tribes caught up in it and those who are trying to assert themselves as some type of official leaders - the UN has theirs.

In sum, the CIA has never left the Libyan field and are doing whatever it is they are doing to move their candidates around - it won't end well for the people as usual. The Russian's are keeping open to generals like Haftar, no differently than they would Netanyahu; keep their friends close and their enemies closer perhaps. What is certain is that the whole field has changed, it is not going back, and each 'power' has their ideas of what should happen or, what can happen if they don't show interest and support. They each keep the other in check while doing what they are doing behind the scenes.

Back to Haftar and Joanne. I think she has ever reason to think Haftar is who he is reported to be - and they call him out, yet Haftar is not going away anytime soon and the Russian's are very aware of this. Haftar calls on the Russian's for a visit and they of course possitivly respond, what else would they do?

 

[goyacobol]

JoanneM might be a little off - on this one - by a long shot! I have, as yet, come across any information that even suggests that Haftar has any connections to the CIA. Give me a lead and I'll follow it up and retract my statement - if it "proves" Haftar is in bed with the CIA.

angelburst,

So far I have never found any reason to not believe Joanne Moriarty.

I think her article is believable when she says:

Having failed, Mr. Haftar returned to his home base near Langley, VA and remained there until the fake Arab Spring was sprung and NATO blew up Libya. At that time, Mr. Haftar gladly returned to Libya and was put in charge (by the CIA) of the Al Qaeda rebel mercenary forces invading Libya. Mr. Haftar of course was happy to take part in any looting of Libya and any power he could take for himself as the government of Libya was destroyed by the outside forces of NATO. Last year his son robbed a bank in Libya, just part of his on going "justice" for the country he supposedly loves so much.

Unless she is a psyop I find her credible for now anyway.

Back to Haftar and Joanne. I think she has ever reason to think Haftar is who he is reported to be - and they call him out, yet Haftar is not going away anytime soon and the Russian's are very aware of this. Haftar calls on the Russian's for a visit and they of course possitivly respond, what else would they do?

Thanks Voyageur for the sleuth work. I too think the Russians are probably not endorsing Haftar but keeping him on a close short leash until things settle down.

 

[Voyageur]

Thanks Voyageur for the sleuth work. I too think the Russians are probably not endorsing Haftar but keeping him on a close short leash until things settle down.

I would not call it that exactly, the cross referencing is from near one side only and one should be open to possibilities. However, the operations in Libya from the get-go reminded me of Doug Valentines Phoenix program - they set it up, arranged the pieces and let them loose, stealing what they can (gold first) while dividing the tribes (let's say) and installing proxy leaders, now with the likes of Haftar to usurp agreed upon power and control, which is what it seems like. At the same time earlier the region became a useful jumping off point into Syria, as we know (arms included). Now the game is different, yet the players are still there.

Often cited is how soldiers loyal to Khalifa Haftar saved people such as the Tunisians held captive etc., a good thing on the surface but what does one really know. Two years ago to almost the day the UNZ Review writes about Haftar:

Due to Libya’s status as a funnel for African immigrants into Europe, as a significant oil producer, and as a hotbed for international jihadi terrorists, there are incentives on all sides to get it sorted out.

While the US joins the EU in officially backing the GNA, Haftar is a longtime CIA asset since he parted ways with Qaddafi in 1986, so it is warm towards him as well; especially now that the White House is occupied by Trump, who has long been skeptical of Obama/HRC’s misadventures in Libya. Russia also supports Haftar; he visited Moscow in November 2016, and video conferenced with Defense Minister Shoigu on the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov this January.

Haftar also enjoys the support of neighboring Egypt and Algeria.

In line with this, there have been rumors that Russia has already started supplying Haftar with huge quantities of arms via Algeria to circumvent the UN arms embargo on non-GNA factions in Libya.
[...]
The proposed plan allegedly calls for the creation of settlements of 20,000-50,000 on the Libyan coast centered on the creation of oil refineries and accompanying infrastructure. The idea is that the immigrants would remain bottled up there, working in the oil refineries for decent wages and provisioned with nice, “European-style” amenities, instead of moving onto Europe. Some of Europe’s surplus refugees could even be dumped back there. Jellyfish Inc. would attract investors. Left unsaid, General Haftar would, presumably, be the guy who “enforces” this arrangement.

This is, for now, just rumor, it is highly suspect that the idea would even work – oil refineries are not exactly labor intensive, and as observers of Europe’s immigrant experiment, we know that the sorts of migrants coming up there will be all but useless in a modern factory environment.

That said, there are less fanciful ways the involved parties can benefit. In exchange for its support in restoring central authority under Hafat in Libya, Russia may reacquire the weapons supply deals it enjoyed under Qaddafi; once the new regime is secure and flush with oil cash, perhaps even the $3 billion contract from 2008 for Russian Railways to build a railroad along Libya’s Mediterranean coast could be revived.

The ruling regimes in both Egypt and Algeria would appreciate the squashing of Islamist elements in their neighboring country. The US could benefit by putting the whole Libya imbroglio behind it, and continue to exert whatever influence it may still possess accruing from Haftar’s long vacation near Langley.



The EU, meanwhile – assuming it is not yet too consumed by internal crises – will have to negotiate its own deal on immigration. Ironically, most likely it will be very similar to the understanding Italy had with Qaddafi: Cash for keeping out the Africans.

In other words, the same old, same old – after almost a decade of pointless wars and pilfering. If not for the neocons, Qaddafi would have crushed the rebellion within a year.

Jumping ahead two years, where are things at exactly? Indeed, though, if not for the Bolton & Co. neocons...yet seriously, in February Haifar seems to be doing just that:

Libya’s eastern leader Khalifa Haftar said his forces have reached the country’s largest oil field after pushing into the southwest as part of an effort to secure the region and its energy installations.

General Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army, the country’s largest military force, already controls the so-called oil crescent, a coastal area containing the major exporting terminals.

In other words, he is being useful to possibly multiple parties in wars aftermath - mopping up the Jihadists, securing oil and possible workers as Unz cited two year prior.

This comes around to the Americans knowing well who Halfter ultimately serves (they could take him out in a flash if desired) as do the Russians, and it is in their interest to remain very close. The oil itself is a prize, OSIT.

One other thing going on - related and rather curious, ties in with the recent Canadian debacle with SNC Lavalin and the government. For those not familiar, the accusations against SNC concerns millions of bribes to Qaddafi, yet not only that is that the news keeps bring up Saadi Gaddafi, the son. This is the background narrative, yet this is not Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the other son who the people may well look to: - 2019 Qaddafi Son Wants Libya Presidential Vote as Soon as Possible and Russia Has a Plan for Libya—Another Qaddafi. (Bloomberg articles - so keep that in mind)

 

[goyacobol]

Thanks for the details Voyageur. I didn't notice the name differences of the two Qaddafi sons.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi is a Libyan political figure. He is the second son of the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his second wife Safia Farkash. Gaddafi was awarded a PhD from London School of Economics.Wikipedia

Al-Saadi Gaddafi
Al-Saadi Muammar Gaddafi, is the third son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. He is a Libyan former association football player. In 2011, he was the commander of Libya's Special Forces and was involved in the Libyan Civil War. An Interpol notice was issued against him in 2011.Wikipedia

It will an ongoing struggle for Libya. And I think as you said it has much to do with the oil resources.

 

[angelburst29]

Haftar has received public backing from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, and France sent special forces to work alongside Haftar’s Libyan National Army earlier this year. Recent military advances by Haftar’s forces have boosted his popularity at home.

In regards to the Joanne Moriarty discussion - I had been working on a Post related to a comment Goyacobol had entered - that French Special Forces had been sent to fortify Haftar. JoanneM has laid claims to the same and yet, my investigations into Khalifa Haftar's background doesn't support that claim. Unless ... the reports of the French working with Haftar is being used to prop up the claim that Haftar has direct ties with the CIA? There is supporting evidence - that Egypt and the UAE have been backing Haftar (financially) and his Libyan National Army. But Haftar working along side the French is inconsistent with my prior investigations into his military activities. I had gathered some info and started a Post but then - placed it in Draft because it was the wee-hours in the morning, It was several days before I came back to it, only to notice the draft was gone - so now I have to reconstruct it.

In the meantime, there's increased activity in Libya.

Eastern Libya forces, moving west, say Tripoli key to national dignity
Forces loyal to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar are preparing a mission to "liberate the homeland from terrorism",
a force spokesman said on Wednesday, suggesting the capital Tripoli was a desirable destination.

Tripoli government declares alert after eastern Libya forces move west
Libya's internationally recognized government, which controls the capital Tripoli, declared a general military alert on Wednesday after eastern forces said they were moving west, a statement said.

Eastern Libyan forces clash with rival troops south of Tripoli: spokesman
Eastern Libyan military forces are clashing with rival forces south of the capital Tripoli, a spokesman for the eastern force said on Wednesday.

Eastern Libya forces move west, skirmish south of Tripoli

Eastern Libyan military forces have moved to western Libya and were briefly locked in a skirmish with a rival force south of the capital Tripoli, an eastern official and residents said on Wednesday, in an escalation between rival camps in the oil producer.

Eastern Libyan forces advance to position near town of Gharyan

Eastern Libyan forces have advanced to a position just south of the town of Gharyan, which lies to the south of the capital Tripoli, local mayor Yousef al-Bdairi said on Thursday.

Eastern Libyan commander Haftar orders his troops to move toward Tripoli: video
Eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar ordered his troops to move toward the capital Tripoli, in a video message published online on Thursday.

Forces allied to eastern Libyan military take over checkpoint west of Tripoli: resident
Forces allied to eastern Libyan forces on Thursday took over a checkpoint west of Tripoli, a resident and a video showed, part of an offensive on the Libyan capital home to the internationally recognized government.

Armed groups from Libya's Misrata are moving to defend Tripoli: residents
Armed groups from the western Libyan city of Misrata have started moving toward Tripoli to defend the capital against possible advance by Eastern forces, residents said on Thursday.

East Libyan forces say two soldiers injured in clashes during Tripoli advance
Eastern Libyan forces said two of their solders were wounded in clashes as they moved on the capital Tripoli on Thursday.

Eastern Libyan commander orders forces to move on Tripoli

After years of sabre-rattling, eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar ordered his troops on Thursday to march on the capital Tripoli, escalating a conflict with the internationally recognized government.

U.S., France, others urge de-escalation of tensions in Libya
The governments of France, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Britain and the United States said on Thursday they were deeply concerned about fighting around the Libyan town of Gharyan and urged all sides to immediately de-escalate tensions.

Libyan force allied to Tripoli takes 145 prisoners from Eastern forces
Libyan forces allied to the internationally recognized government in Tripoli have taken 145 troops prisoner from the Eastern forces, a commander said on Friday.

Eastern Libyan forces say they control areas near Tripoli
Eastern Libyan forces said in a statement on Friday that they had taken control of the areas of Qasr ben Ghashir, Wadi al-Rabie and Suq al-Khamis near Tripoli.

Tripoli forces retake former airport: minister
Forces loyal to Libya's Tripoli government recaptured late on Friday the former international airport in the south of the capital from eastern forces, the Tripoli-based interior minister said on Friday.

Eastern Libyan forces control the former Tripoli airport: residents, spokesman
Eastern Libyan military forces still control the former Tripoli International Airport, a military spokesman and residents said on Friday.

Egypt says Libyan crisis cannot be resolved through military means
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Saturday the crisis in Libya could not be resolved through military means, but added the security situation in the country had long been a source of worry.

Kremlin says it is not backing Libyan commander Haftar's westward push
The Kremlin said on Friday it was not helping Libyan military forces loyal to eastern commander Khalifa Haftar push westward and that it supported a negotiated political settlement to Libya's problems that ruled out any new bloodshed.

Russia wants politicians in Libya to agree between themselves

Russia wants all the political forces in Libya to find an agreement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday during a visit to Cairo.

Russia tells Libya's Haftar it favors political solution to crisis
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov held a phone call on Friday with eastern Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar and reiterated Moscow's position that it supports a political solution to the crisis in the country.

U.N. to hold Libya's national conference as planned: envoy
The U.N. special envoy to Libya said on Saturday he was determined to hold Libya's national conference on time despite ongoing fighting in the North African country.

U.N. Security Council calls on eastern Libyan troops to halt military movement
The U.N. Security Council expressed concern on Friday about military activity near Libya's capital Tripoli, warning that it threatens the country's stability, and called on Libyan National Army (LNA) troops commanded by Khalifa Haftar to halt all military movements.

Haftar told U.N.'s Guterres that Tripoli operation will continue: al-Arabiya
Eastern Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar told U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres that his operation towards Tripoli will continue until terrorism has been defeated, Al-Arabiya TV reported on Friday.

G7 foreign ministers interrupt talks to warn against advance on Tripoli

Foreign ministers from the G7 group of rich nations implicitly warned eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar on Friday against an advance toward the capital Tripoli as they scrambled to defuse a dangerous escalation in the north African oil producer's power struggle.

G7 foreign ministers warn Libyan commander Haftar against offensive
Foreign ministers of the group of seven nations said on Friday that they were strongly opposed to military action in the country and implicitly warned eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar against continuing his advance on the capital Tripoli.

 

[goyacobol]

There is supporting evidence - that Egypt and the UAE have been backing Haftar (financially) and his Libyan National Army.

If that proves to be true it might mean the oil and control of it is being fought over by the greedy parties which is kind of all inclusive. The U.S., France and the UAE are all licking their chops over the oil money. Having one of Gaddafi's sons as a national symbol would be kind of a nice veneer I suppose.

 

[angelburst29]

The US military said Sunday it had temporarily pulled some of its forces out of Libya amid an upsurge of fighting in the North African country.

April 7, 2019 - US pulls some troops out of Libya amid unrest
US pulls some troops out of Libya amid unrest

Forces loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar were pressing on at the weekend with an offensive on the capital Tripoli. (AFP)

“Due to increased unrest in Libya, a contingent of US forces supporting US Africa Command temporarily relocated from the country in response to security conditions on the ground,” it said in a statement.

It did not detail how many military personnel had been withdrawn from Libya.

Forces loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar were pressing on at the weekend with an offensive on the capital Tripoli, seat of the internationally-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA).

US Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, said its mission in Libya involves “military support to diplomatic missions, counter-terrorism activities, enhancing partnerships and improving security across the region.”

It said it would “continue to monitor conditions on the ground in Libya and assess the feasibility for renewed US military presence as appropriate.”

“The security realities on the ground in Libya are growing increasingly complex and unpredictable,” said US Marine Corps General Thomas Waldhauser, commander of US Africa Command.

“Even with an adjustment of the force, we will continue to remain agile in support of existing US strategy.”

Libya has struggled since the 2011 overthrow of dictator Muammar Qaddafi which left dozens of militia to fill the void and ally with either the GNA or the rival administration in the east backed by Haftar.

In the renewed fighting, forces backing the GNA have launched air strikes on Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army around 50 kilometers south of Tripoli.

Tripoli residents fearing that large-scale fighting could break out have begun stocking up on food and petrol.

 

[angelburst29]

Eastern Libyan forces carried out air strikes on the southern part of Tripoli on Sunday and made progress toward the city center, residents said, escalating an operation to take the capital as the United Nations failed to achieve a truce.

April 7, 2019 - Eastern Libyan forces conduct air strikes on Tripoli as U.N. fails to reach truce

A member of Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar, is seen as he heads out of Benghazi to reinforce the troops advancing to Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya April 7, 2019. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

The Libyan National Army (LNA) force of Khalifa Haftar, which backs a parallel administration in the east, last week launched an advance on Tripoli in the west, home to the internationally recognized government.

The offensive intensifies a power struggle that has fractured the oil and gas producer since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.

The LNA reached the southern outskirts of the capital on Friday and says it took the former international airport, though the Tripoli military officials deny this.

At least one warplane carried out an air strike in the area, a resident said.

“The air force took part for the first time in the military operations,” said LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari. “It conducted a very successful operation to secure the airport road (to city center),” he added.

The LNA moved up north from on the road from former airport in the district of Khalat Furgan, coming some 11 km from the city center, a resident said, adding he could see the troops as forces loyal to the Tripoli government withdrew.

Slideshow (9 Images)
Eastern Libyan forces conduct air strikes on Tripoli as U.N. fails...

U.S. urges immediate halt to military operations in Libya

The United States called on Sunday for an immediate halt to military operations in Libya as the Libyan National Army headed by Khalifa Haftar advanced on the capital, Tripoli.

US urges Libyan National Army’s leader Haftar to stop offensive on Tripoli

The United States calls on the Libyan National Army (LNA), loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, to immediately stop its offensive on the Libyan capital of Tripoli, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo stated.

"The United States is deeply concerned about fighting near Tripoli," Pompeo was quoted as saying in a statement posted on the official website of the US Department of State.

"We have made clear that we oppose the military offensive by Khalifa Haftar's forces and urge the immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan capital," Pompeo stated

"This unilateral military campaign against Tripoli is endangering civilians and undermining prospects for a better future for all Libyans," the statement from Pompeo reads.

"Forces should return to status quo ante positions. All involved parties have a responsibility to urgently de-escalate the situation, as the UN Security Council and G7 ministers emphasized on April 5," the US secretary of state said.

Fears of Civil War as Haftar Forces Seize Tripoli Airport
Forces loyal to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar announced that they have advanced into the Southern outskirts of the country’s capital city and seized the former Tripoli International Airport in a dangerous escalation.

U.N.-backed Libya government: 11 killed and 23 wounded in clashes in southern Tripoli

Libyan National Army (LNA) members, commanded by Khalifa Haftar, pose for a picture as they head out of Benghazi to reinforce the troops advancing to Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya April 7, 2019. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

The Health Ministry of the U.N.-backed Libyan government of National Accord said in a statement late on Sunday that clashes in the southern part of the capital, Tripoli, resulted in 11 killed and 23 wounded. The ministry gave no details of whether the casualties were civilians or fighters.

Libya: Sarraj Accuses Haftar of 'Betrayal', Vows to End Tripoli Push

The head of Libya's internationally recognized government accused renegade General Khalifa Haftar of "betraying" him after the latter launched a military offensive aimed at capturing the capital, Tripoli, in a showdown that has sparked fears of a renewed war.

In a televised speech on Saturday, Fayez al-Sarraj stated that Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) would meet firm resistance from forces loyal to his United Nations-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), Al-Jazeera reported.

"We have extended our hands towards peace but after the aggression that has taken place on the part of forces belonging to Haftar and his declaration of war against our cities and our capital ... he will find nothing but strength and firmness," Sarraj added.

Sarraj and Haftar held talks in Abu Dhabi in late February, their first confirmed meeting since November 2018, during which they agreed that national elections were necessary, according to the UN.

"They also agreed on ways to maintain stability in the country and unify its institutions," the UN Libya mission said in a Twitter post after the Abu Dhabi meeting.

Libyan National Army declares no-fly zone in the west of the country
The Libyan National Army under the command of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar declared on Saturday a no-fly zone for combat aircraft in the country’s western part, where it is mounting an offensive against Tripoli, the Al Arabiya TV channel reported citing the military.

"The Libyan army declares the western region of the country a military operation zone and imposes a ban on combat aircraft flights in the area," the military said in a communique. "We will carry out strikes against any airports in the west from where sorties are made.".

 

[angelburst29]

According to Russia’s top diplomat, the cause of the Libyan crisis lies in NATO’s actions in 2011.

Russia opposed to assigning blame in Libyan crisis - Lavrov
Russia opposed to assigning blame in Libyan crisis - Lavrov

Russia is opposed to unilaterally apportioning blame in the Libyan crisis, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday following talks with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry.

"Today we discussed Libya in detail taking into account the developments there. We keep a close eye on the armed forces’ advance, including the Libyan National Army and other groups, including those, which are illegal armed groups and control a considerable part of the country’s capital and some other areas," he said. "We exchanged information on how this situation is discussed by the UN Security Council. We are opposed to attempts to apportion blame unilaterally."

According to Russia’s top diplomat, the cause of the Libyan crisis lies in NATO’s actions in 2011. He stressed that, since then, Libya has become a destroyed state and a ‘black hole’ for terrorists, arms trafficking and illegal migrant flows.

"It is very difficult to move forward without understanding the underlying causes," he went on to say. "Just like Egypt, we would like Libyans themselves to determine their fate and begin an inclusive, businesslike dialogue without any artificial deadlines imposed on them from outside and without attempts to rush Libyans against their will."

According to Lavrov, Russia maintains contacts with all Libyan parties. "We welcomed contacts between Libyan National Army Commander Khalifa Haftar and head of the Government of National Accord Fayez al-Sarraj," he said. "During our contacts with all Libyan political forces, we send them the same signals, and we have never tried to bank on anyone. I am certain this is the way one should act in this case."

He drew attention to the fact that the UN Security Council would convene again on Saturday to get detailed information on the developments in that country.

"We are concerned about the fact that some armed groups in certain parts of Libya said they would use warplanes against the Libyan National Army," he pointed out. "Those who have influence with these units, must prevent this escalation."

Lavrov stressed that the global community needed to call on the Libyans to cease hostilities and sit down at the negotiating table.

The phone call was requested by the Libyan side.

Russian diplomat holds phone talks with Libyan National Army commander Haftar
Russian diplomat holds phone talks with Libyan National Army commander Haftar

Russian Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov held phone talks with Commander of the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

"Haftar shared information on the Libyan National Army’s operations in recent days, which were said to be pursuing a goal of boosting the fight against terrorist and extremist groups operating in different parts of the country, including in the capital of Tripoli, which pose a threat to stability of Libya’s society and hinder the implementation of agreements on the establishment of a sustainable intra-Libyan inclusive political process and a consensus dialogue, with the aim to set up unified efficient government bodies," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"The Russian side reaffirmed its principal position in support of political solutions to all disputable issues in Libyan society and mediatory steps taken by the United Nations and its Special Envoy for Libya Ghassan Salame. In addition, [they] underscored the need to consolidate efforts in the fight against terrorism and extremist ideology," the ministry added.

The phone call was requested by the Libyan side.

Libya has two supreme executive authorities, namely Tripoli’s world-recognized government of National Accord headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and the interim government headed by Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani, which operates in the country’s east along with the elected parliament and is supported by the Libyan National Army.

On April 4, Haftar announced the launch of an offensive on Tripoli. On Saturday, the Libyan National Army was reported to have approached Tripoli at a distance of ten kilometers from the city center. Meanwhile, Fayez al-Sarraj ordered all military units subordinate to him to be on alert and to use force if necessary "to defend the civilian population and critical facilities.".

 

[angelburst29]

The United States calls on the Libyan National Army (LNA), loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, to immediately stop its offensive on the Libyan capital of Tripoli, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo stated. "

The United States is deeply concerned about fighting near Tripoli," Pompeo was quoted as saying in a statement posted on the official website of the US Department of State.

"We have made clear that we oppose the military offensive by Khalifa Haftar's forces and urge the immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan capital," Pompeo stated.

France had no warning of Haftar's advance on Tripoli: French diplomatic source Monday April 8, 2019
France had no prior warning of Libya's eastern commander Khalifa Haftar's advance on the capital Tripoli and was not trying to clandestinely undermine the country's peace process, a French diplomatic source said on Monday.

“The immediate need in Libya is to protect the civilian population, put an end to the fighting, and get all the key Libyan players back around the table,” the diplomat said. France had “no hidden agenda”, the official added.

JoanneM might be a little off - on this one - by a long shot! I have, as yet, come across any information that even suggests that Haftar has any connections to the CIA. Give me a lead and I'll follow it up and retract my statement - if it "proves" Haftar is in bed with the CIA.

I stand "firm" on my statement above. My investigation into Haftar and his background was, by no means - "all inclusive" but I found "no direct links" to the CIA, other then "media hype of the same"? The Moriarty's seem to be the main source behind claims against Haftar and links to their public announcements have been used by secondary sources - including the Unz report, referenced earlier.

Two years ago to almost the day the UNZ Review writes about Haftar:

Ask yourself, "If Haftar was a CIA Golden-boy-puppet, as the Moriarty's claim, why did NATO/US/France/UK install Fayez al-Sarraj in a shadow Government?" Why is France (Macron) and the US (Pompeo/Bolton) now putting out distress signals - for Haftar to stop his movements towards Tripoli - where they installed Sarraj?

Hillary Clinton on Gaddafi: “We came, we saw, he died” - I agree with Lavrov's statement: the Libyan crisis lies in NATO’s actions in 2011.

To gain a better understanding of what happened in Libya in 2011, study the situation now unfolding in Venezuela.

Substitute Maduro for Gaddafi. NATO under the dictates of the US/France/UK and some rouge UN Officials, managed to assassinate Gaddaffi. In Maduro's case - there have been several unsuccessful attempts. In Libya, NATO went right in and seized it's Capital, Tripoli. With the help of a select few "rouge" UN Officials, a shadow Government was set up - the Government of National Accord with Fayez al-Sarraj at the helm. Haftar and those that were loyal to Gaddafi and to Libya's own sovereignty "the Libyan National Army" are the main resistance and the element standing in the way of the US/NATO taking over full control of Libya.

Again, substitute al-Sarraj for Guaido.

Then follow the money trail on seized assets ... In Venezuela, over $30 Billion to date. In Libya, on top of Billion's already stolen, they are trying every means to get their hands on LIA’s $67 billion worth of assets! The Libyan shadow government was stealing oil profits to run their operation until Haftar's military managed to retake control of the oil wells, which resulted in: "The Libyan east-based Interim Government has sold bonds worth more than $23 billion to fund its wage bill, bypassing the Central Bank of Libya in Tripoli and creating a potential financial black hole if the country reunifies. "
Libya's parallel government sold $23 billion worth of bonds to cover employees' salaries Thursday 7 March 2019

*March 24, 2019 - Over $30 billion seized from Venezuela’s foreign accounts in two months — minister
Over $30 billion seized from Venezuela’s foreign accounts in two months — minister

*November 22, 2018 - Exclusive: Libyan Wealth Fund to hire Auditors in push to Unfreeze Assets
Exclusive: Libyan wealth fund to hire auditors in push to unfreeze assets | Reuters

Libya’s sovereign wealth fund will appoint auditors within weeks and conclude a wide-ranging examination of its assets by 2019 as part of its efforts to get billions of dollars of assets unfrozen, the fund’s head told Reuters.

Ali Mahmoud Hassan Mohamed, the chairman and chief executive of the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA), said financial auditing and consulting company PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was one of the firms the fund was considering. About 70 percent of the LIA’s $67 billion worth of assets have been frozen under United Nations sanctions since the toppling of veteran ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 pushed the country into turmoil. UN diplomats say they want to see a stable government in Libya before relaxing the sanctions.

According to Russia’s top diplomat, the cause of the Libyan crisis lies in NATO’s actions in 2011. He stressed that, since then, Libya has become a destroyed state and a ‘black hole’ for terrorists, arms trafficking and illegal migrant flows.

Back to the Moriarty's and the videos.

Just keeping it on the radar, the Moriarty's apparently have a series of unseen video's -
Moriarty's Release UNSEEN Libyan Videos - New Series with Jason Goodman

We have started to release the unseen videos we took on the ground in Libya during the 2011 NATO destruction of Libya.
These are raw videos, taken by us with a small Sony Camera. They are not edited, these are the real Libyan people sharing their sorrow, their thoughts and their desires for their future. They speak in Libyan Arabic but we are there with a translator. Our series will be every Monday night at 6pm central, you find the links below.

Jason Goodman is the one we have ever entrusted these videos with and he is doing a great job. He is clear and honest and works to share the importance of the information.

These are the videos that the CIA, DIA and FBI were after when they came into our home.

These videos will prove the false flag, the war crimes, the lies and the atrocities committed by the UN/US/NATO/France/UK and the criminal lying media.

Please watch the introduction to this series free on YouTube at XXX ... We will be releasing the videos every Monday at 6pm Central time with Jason Goodman on Patreon. Patreon is a paid site, you can become a patron of ours for as low as $1 per month, up to you what you want to pay to support.

So, what's this - a typo? These videos will prove the false flag, the war crimes, the lies and the atrocities committed by the UN/US/NATO/France/UK and the criminal lying media.

I never got a clear answer- as to why the Moriarty's happened to be in Libya at the time of the 2011 NATO bombing? Did they live and work there or were they vacationing? Are either or both "employed" and what do they do for a living and to pay the bills? Are they still in Libya? Where are they now - living in the US? Are either of them employed, outside of promoting their "interviews and videos"?

I have a "raw feeling" where the Moriarty's are concerned and highly suspect - they are the one's that are CIA connected?

 

[goyacobol]

I suppose my question is where is the CIA link to the Moriarty's. I am not saying it is not a possibility I just hadn't seen anything that made them look anything but pro-Gaddaffi and pro-Libyan.

Here is some of their site intro:

Libyan War the Truth

We were business people doing business in Libya since 2007 January. We made a unique enzyme that rejuvenates oil wells and cleans up sludge pits, cleans out pipelines and tanks and does a whole lot of neat things to oil. We booked a huge amount of business in Libya from 2007 to 2011: 5 billion dollars worth of our product. We signed a JV with the Social Security Investment Fund of Janzour near Tripoli, Libya. We actively began to build a production facility to fulfill these contracts for our enzyme when the so called Libyan revolution began in February of 2011.

I would like to note that the Libyan people were not in any way extremist Muslims. The part of the Koran that was added by the Ayatollah Khomeini talking about killing infidels was thrown out of Libya by Ghadafi because he said it was not part of the Koran. For this there was a fatwa or death order put on Ghadafi for over 20 years by the radical extremist Muslims. All religions with a book were allowed in Libya. Women were emancipated in the 1970’s by Ghadafi. No special clothing were required and all women were highly educated if they choose to be. They were doctors, lawyers, ministers, business owners, or just house wives whatever they decided.

Libya shared ½ of all the its oil revenue with its 5.5 million population. All medical care was free, if you could not get the care you needed in Libya then you could travel wherever you needed with a family member and all costs and expenses were fully paid. Education was free and if you wanted to go outside to another University that was paid in full with a stipend. When a Libyan couple got married they received a $46,000 gift from the government to start their lives. Their first home, a 2500 sq foot condominium cost 10% of their salary for 20 years and then it was theirs. Gasoline was 44 cents a gallon, all utilities were free. If you were hungry and had no money they had huge stores of food where you could get rice, milk, cheese, flour and money to buy meat. The average salary in Libya was the highest in Africa, higher than China or India at $15,800 a year. If you had a college education and could not find a job you received that money until you found a job.

The Libyan people were happy, there was no tax, only businesses had some tax but it was minimal. The government shared the wealth of Libya with its people, there was no taxing of the people to support the state. There was no reason for a revolution, there were some disgruntled radical Islamists who had tried to enforce Sharia law and radical Islam upon Libya to no avail because they only made up about 3 to 5%. These are the people NATO and the US joined hands with to take over Libya. In April of 2011 we were invited to travel to Tripoli on an NGO Fact Finding Commission. We agreed and in May of 2011 we traveled to Tripoli, Libya to take part in this Fact Finding Commission. We spent a whole lot of time with the Tribes of Libya learning about the truths of Libya and their government. We also were witness to huge war crimes committed by NATO upon the innocent people of Libya.

Because there was no popular support for this so called revolution in Libya, it was necessary for NATO, the US, UK, France, UN, Qatar and Israel to funnel in thousands of Al Qaeda mercenaries into Libya. We are witnesses to the hordes of terrorists, that were armed, funded and trained by the aforementioned group. We have in our hands the private document written in Hebrew that is an agreement between the would be rebels and the Mossad. The agreement states that Israel will provide arms and training to the rebels until they take over the country and in return for that Israel will get to put a military base in the green mountain area of Libya.

The war against Libya had been planned for a long time. Dennis Kucinich held the documents that showed that there were war games in the Mediterranean with the French, UK and US against a mythical North Africa oil rich dictator nation. This was supposed to start on the 21st of February. The war actually started on the 17th of February. The main reason for the destruction of Libya was the gold backed currency for the continent of Africa called the Dinar.

It goes on with the details but that is some of their claimed background.

 

[Voyageur]

JoanneM might be a little off - on this one - by a long shot! I have, as yet, come across any information that even suggests that Haftar has any connections to the CIA. Give me a lead and I'll follow it up and retract my statement - if it "proves" Haftar is in bed with the CIA.

I stand "firm" on my statement above. My investigation into Haftar and his background was, by no means - "all inclusive" but I found "no direct links" to the CIA, other then "media hype of the same"? The Moriarty's seem to be the main source behind claims against Haftar and links to their public announcements have been used by secondary sources - including the Unz report, referenced earlier.

Ask yourself, "If Haftar was a CIA Golden-boy-puppet, as the Moriarty's claim, why did NATO/US/France/UK install Fayez al-Sarraj in a shadow Government?" Why is France (Macron) and the US (Pompeo/Bolton) now putting out distress signals - for Haftar to stop his movements towards Tripoli - where they installed Sarraj?

Hillary Clinton on Gaddafi: “We came, we saw, he died” - I agree with Lavrov's statement: the Libyan crisis lies in NATO’s actions in 2011.

Here is what I'm thinking just to open with your original quote and these follow up quotes here; I guess the first thing to clarify for myself is that I cannot know each inner military or intelligence nuance of state, whether American or Russian, and of what can be discerned of JoanneM is limited to their work post return and what they have said. What they have said seems compelling and I don’t know what they would gain from embellishing a horrible situation to make it more horrible. What do they gain to spread lies about Haftar? I think the crappy situation in Libya post 2011 is well enough reported – and JoanneM has filled in some gaps along with some who were interviewed.

As for the General, I’m certainly not beholden to him or against him other than these observations:

• he had a falling out with Gaddafi. So, what exactly did that look like?
• ‘if’ he went over to the American CIA camp as has been suggested, he did this under the Obama presidency (and CIA directves of that time) with Hillary doing some of proxy conducting in Libya (as you noted in reference).
• If he did this, what did he do to Gaddafi and his army with the information he would know? Gaddafi died a most terrible death.
• If he divulged and was working against Gaddafi (also using internal connections and offering, no doubt, quantities of printed money), the CIA would make sense as a sponsor.
• If he did, it is not what he is doing now, no, it is what he did to Gaddafi and the people (he sold them all out when he could have defended them), and people like Russia and the Americans would know exactly what that was, IMO.
• If he was not in the Obama/Clinton - CIA camp, what was he doing during this period?

The Russians

During this period Syria was attacked we know by a funded proxy. Russia entered that war and quickly helped to give that proxy a swift exit to paradise, and to the proxy handlers, a black eye. They were extremly busy on many fronts - Lybia would still be of mind if they could accomblish their task. Thus the problem was massive as it migrated from Libya where recruiting, arming and training (and in other countries) was taking place.

Trump comes to power and the Hillary era falls – thereafer there seems to be some behind the scenes convergence of purposes. That convergence is to ensure these proxies (one name yesterday and a new name today) are dealt with to limit their future resurgence and their reuse against Russia, China et cetera on their home land. So, I’m thinking that the US (in certain circles) have the same mind now as the Russians, and yet they keep up pretenses because it goes against Russia and semi sides with the U.N. and Co. This is hard to get a fix on with the people surrounding Trump.

Tripoli has the U.N. interim government head (think he is a Lebanese) and the rebels seem to be are intermixed – and that is not a good situation if attacked as many of the articles suggest, and it would be a bloody matter if forces really clash. So what is the game plan? Is Haftar completely in the sphere of the Russians or in both camps as the man most capable of cleaning house? What are the splinter groups doing?

The upshot in my thinking is that Haftar is useful to Russia as he is accomplishing some of their goals. It is known that there are also many mercenaries’ still in Libya (Russian, France, US and the UK all likely) operating with their strategies - not necessarily connected as they serve different masters and outcomes. Whatever the case, Haftar is well known - although likely not forgiven by the people (which is what Moriarty's seem to be signaling with their insistence of a betrayal) who may have a better feel for what he was really doing after leaving Gaddafi's side. Haftar seems to have made new alliances or, is being handled for various possible outcomes. The outcomes are variable from social control to resources.

I can't know exactly what is going to happen and who is using who (past and present).

I have a "raw feeling" where the Moriarty's are concerned and highly suspect - they are the one's that are CIA connected?

For now I can't share that view with out very substantive evidence; and that is also the point you make about Hafter (so it is noted), and perhaps more will come out.

Edit: The only other thing that is noted is that Hafter also has the nod from Egypt and Algeria - who all want the head-choppers gone too.