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The soldier starts as one of the favorites in the elections scheduled for December 24
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Along with the former dictator’s first-born son, both are accused of having committed war crimes
The general Khalifa hafter, the leader of the faction that has controlled eastern Libya for years, announced this Tuesday in a speech broadcast on television that will stand for presidential elections that will take place on Dec. 24. With these elections the country seeks to end in the long run crisis It has been going through since the fall of the dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi in 2011 and which led to a civil war. “In line with the rules of democracy and the application of the agreed roadmap, with trust in God, I announce my candidacy for the presidential elections,” declared the military man, and later added that his candidacy “is not a request for can”.
Hafter, leader of the military organization Libyan National Army, fought since 2014 a war against the Government of Tripoli, recognized by the United Nations (UN). Currently, the general, who also has American nationality, is investigated by a court in the state of Virginia for alleged war crimes during the offensive it carried out to capture the Libyan capital in 2019. The parties to the conflict finally managed to reach a ceasefire and agree on a transition process in order to unify the country and hold presidential and parliamentary elections.
The military leader is not the only protagonist in these crucial elections. The second of the sons of Gaddafi, Saif al Islam, announced last Sunday that it is also presented as candidate to these elections, the first presidential celebrating the Maghreb country since its independence from Italy in 1951.
Shortly after announcing its intentions, the Military Prosecutor’s Office demanded its immediate suspension. Like Hafter, Al Islam is waiting to be judged for war crimes for his supposed relationship with Russian mercenaries who participated in the offensive launched against Tripoli. The eastern forces then had the support of countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.
Likewise, it is expected that before November 22, the date on which the deadline ends, present candidacy other gadafist moreover, the Prime Minister of the National Government of Transitory Unity, Abdelhamid al Debaibah, a billionaire who made his fortune during the dictatorship.
The prodigal son of Gaddafism
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Hafter was born in 1943 and was part of the military group that overthrew King Idris in 1969, holding the position of leader of the Army of Gaddafi. However, in 1989 he suffered a severe setback after be abandoned by the dictator and suffer a humiliating defeat on the battlefield, from which the CIA along with a group of 400 loyalists to the regime got him. Subsequently settled in the United States, specifically in the state of Virginia, where he obtained nationality and acted as main opponent in exile.
During the riots of 2011 returned to Libya and after gaining the trust of the military forces in the east of the country, he appointed head of the Libyan National Army. He is currently shaping up to be one of the favorites in next month’s historic elections.
Reference-www.elperiodico.com