Libyan Prime Minister denounces foreign support for Haftar at UN General Assembly

Libyan Prime Minister Sarraj has denounced foreign backing for rogue General Khalifa Haftar at the UN’s General Assembly. Haftar has reportedly received support from the UAE, Egypt, France, and Russia.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab & agencies

26 September, 2019

Sarraj criticized other countries’ interference in Libyan affairs [Getty]

Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of the Libya's internationally recognized Government of National Accord, attacked foreign powers on Wednesday for backing military strongman Khalifa Haftar, whom he described as a "bloodthirsty criminal."

"It is regrettable that other countries continue to interfere" in Libya, he said at the United Nations General Assembly, naming the United Arab Emirates, France and Egypt.

Libya has been unstable since 2011, when an uprising toppled and killed dictator Muammar Al-Gaddafi in 2011. In 2014, Haftar’s self-styled “Libyan National Army” attacked rival militias in the eastern city of Benghazi, sparking a civil war.

In April of this year, Haftar launched an offensive to take the capital, Tripoli.

His forces are fighting those of the GNA, which is led by Sarraj and is recognized by the UN.

While Sarraj is backed by Turkey and Qatar, Haftar enjoys support from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia. There have also been reports that France and the United States are quietly backing him.

At least 1,093 people have been killed and 5,752 wounded, while some 120,000 others have been displaced since the beginning of Haftar’s offensive against Tripoli, according to the World Health Organization.