Libya names anti-Islamist General Haftar as army chief

General Khalifa Haftar photo Magharebia

2 March 2015 BBC Africa

A controversial anti-Islamist, General Khalifa Haftar, has been named head of the Libyan army.

Libya's internationally recognised government controls only a small part of the country, with Tripoli controlled by rivals Libya Dawn. The country has been blighted by fighting between the factions, as well as attacks by jihadist groups. Gen Haftar launched Operation Dignity last year, a self-declared war on Islamists in the city of Benghazi. On Monday there were reports of fighting between Haftar-controlled troops and Islamists in the city. The former general is a divisive figure amongst Libyans. He has drawn praise for attempts to bring order to the chaos in the country but criticism for his aggressive use of force, including air strikes. His critics say he targeted both moderate and hardline Islamist groups in the east, which further radicalised some people, according to BBC Libya correspondent Rana Jawad.

Read more