TRIPOLI: Thousands of demonstrators yesterday rallied in support of a rogue former general whose forces have launched a “dignity” campaign to crush jihadist militias in eastern Libya.
Ex-general Khalifa Haftar has garnered growing support amid frustration at the lawlessness three years after the overthrow of dictator Moammar Gaddafi.
“Yes to dignity,” read banners carried by demonstrators at Martyrs’ Square in Tripoli.
Thousands more pro-Haftar demonstrators gathered outside Tibesti Hotel in the eastern city of Benghazi, a stronghold of the Islamists, and in Baida, further east. “Yes to the army, yes to the police,” their banners read. “No to militias, Libya will not become another Afghanistan.”
Meanwhile, Western powers issued a joint appeal for a peaceful transition in the country.
Britain, France and the US, which led the Nato-backed attacks that ousted Gaddafi, urged a “peaceful and democratic” transition, in a statement also signed by Germany, Italy and the EU.
The Western powers, “deeply concerned by the repeated acts of violence, call on all sides to refrain from the use of force and address differences by political means,” it read. “Persistent divisions amongst Libyans will gravely challenge the ability of the international community to assist Libya,” they warned.
But calm returned yesterday after dignitaries from two rival regions supporting and opposing GNC brokered a compromise to prevent armed clashes in Tripoli. AFP
