Division in Libyan GNA government over role of CIA-linked General Haftar

The pro-GNC Libya Observer reports that there are already disagreements about the role of CIA-linked General Khalifa Haftar in the UN-supported Government of National Accord (GNA) that is still in the process of formation.

Designated senior officials, the presidential council, led by Faeiez Sirraj, met in Tunis recently. The terms of the Libya Political Agreement (LPA) are that the role of commander-in-chief of the Libya National Army currently held by CIA-linked Khalifa Haftar will be carried out by senior officials of the GNA rather than Haftar. Yet the Libya Observer now reports:

Sources said a dispute broke out between the council members over the leadings positions in the government. Council members Ali Al-Gotrani and Fathi Al-Mijibri, both in favor of Haftar, are insisting that the latter must remain in his position as "commander-in-chief of the army", and threatened to quit the council if this was not guaranteed. While other members think Haftar is a controversial character and his role would violate the concord according to the political agreement.

Idriss Omran, a Tobruk Parliament member, confirmed to Karama TV that both council members Al-Gotrani and Al Mijibri walked out of the meeting of the presidential council during debate on leading positions. Omran said Kobler telephoned them and promised to address the issue. The Libya Herald, which is often pro-UN and pro-HoR, reports nothing of what is happening. So far only the Libya Observer has reported on the matter in English. In a long article in the Libya Herald about what Kobler is doing to promote the GNA, there is no mention of Haftar or the divisions within the recent meetings. This is typical of the UN. Ignore any facts that do not promote the UN agenda.

Omran went even further and said the negotiations at the presidential council are making no progress. This is not surprising since the GNC members are mortal enemies of Haftar and no doubt saw the GNA as a way of sidelining him. The UN on other hand, whatever it is up to, has managed to keep him quiet and the Libya Herald has even said Haftar supports the GNA. If he does, how is it that the HoR, which he controls, still has not approved the GNA? It could have met today and voted but it appears nothing has happened. Omran claims that if Haftar is not kept on as commander-in-chief of the Libyan Armed Forces then eastern members will suspend their membership. The majority in the HoR who the UN says support the GNA also support it only on condition that Haftar remain as commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army. If he does stay on, then Kobler can forget about any cooperation from the GNC members or the Libya Dawn militia, the main armed forces of the GNC. Kobler apparently wants the regular armed forces to protect the GNA in Tripoli. I am sure Haftar's forces will receive a warm welcome from Libya Dawn if they go to Tripoli.

There are all sorts of reports of the Islamic State attacks on the oil terminal at El Sidre. These attacks are being repelled not by the Libyan National Army and Haftar but by the militia guards led by Ibrahim Jodran. There appears to be sharp division between he and Haftar as reported by the Libya Observer, which favors the General National Congress (GNC) government in Tripoli most of the time. Jodran reported that seven of his fighters had been killed in Monday in clashes with IS or Daesh fighters around the El Sidra port: He spoke out against Haftar:

Speaking in Barga TV last night, he praised his forces' victory over IS and lashed out at Khalifa Haftar, saying he and Daesh are two sides of the same coin. "I call my people in Benghazi and Barga for unity. Our enemy is not Daesh only, but also those who are planning to bring back dictatorship and military rule. The so-called the General Command and its supporters are also enemies to all Libyans."Relations between the two have been strained since September, when Jodran accused Haftar of trying to kill him. Don't expect any UN press release talking about issues such as this. At least one would expect some response from sources such as the Libyan Herald. Observer releases are often slanted against the HoR and Haftar but at the same time the Observer often reports items which those against the GNC would like to remain hidden. The reports on the Tunis meeting come from an HoR source, and hence are at least plausible.