Eric Prince founder of Blackwater probably behind mysterious Libya bombings

An article by Arnaud Delalande in War Is Boring reports that Intelligence Online (IOL), which covers most world intelligence services, claims that pilots flying from Al-Khadim air base in Libya work for Erik Prince former head of Blackwater.

Blackwater provided security services for US troops in Iraq and was founded by Prince. He was CEO until 2009 and later chairman until the firm was sold in 2010. He now heads the private equity firm Frontier Resource Group but is also chair of the Hong Kong-listed Frontier Resource Group. He lives both in Abu Dhabi, UAE and In Middleburg Virginia.

In Iraq Blackwater became embroiled in controversy after what is called the Nissour Square Massacre:On September 16, 2007, employees of Blackwater Security Consulting, a private military company, shot at Iraqi civilians killing 17 and injuring 20 in Nisour Square, Baghdad while escorting a US embassy convoy.[1][2][3] The killings outraged Iraqis and strained relations between Iraq and the United States.[4] In 2014, four Blackwater employees were tried[5] and convicted in U.S. federal court; one of murder, and the other three of manslaughter and firearms charges.[6]

The pilots are flying converted Air Tractor attack planes IOXMAX AT-802 from the UAE. The mercenary pilots are said not to be Arab and most are American according to IOL. Prince has denied involvement in the UAE operations.

Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater USA

Wikimedia Commons

The UAE along with Egypt and now Russia are strong supporters of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar commander of the Libyan National Army associated with the government of the House of Representative. The first AT-802 was spotted at an airbase in Libya in June 2015 but with its national marking obliterated. In June of 2016 the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council (BRSC) released photos showing an AT-802 in the sky in Benghazi over the Garfouda area that they controlled.

Eric Prince has close ties to the UAE as he moved to Abu Dhabi in 2010 in the same year he sold his stake in Blackwater. He founded Reflex Responses Company or R2 then. In January of 2011 he was hired by several Arab countries to train a private army of 2,000 Somalians. In May of the same year, the New York Times reported that the UAE had signed a contract with Reflex Responses worth $529 million. The contract was to recruit and train a "Security Support Group" of 800 members for counterrorism and internal security purposes. Prince's Frontier Resources Group a logistic and transport company is investing in Africa with cash collected from Asian investors.

Haftar's rival Libyan Dawn Air Force also hired foreign companies Glissada, Amber TIger and Caravana Middle East to recruit pilots for its small fleet of aircraft and helicopters in 2015. One pilot may have died when he crashed in June 2016 over Sirte, perhaps brought down by enemy fire. The House of Representatives (HoR) government has also recruited pilots under contract with various foreign countries including Moldova-based Sky Prim Air. Given the recent meetings between Haftar and Russian officials perhaps there will soon be Russian pilots competing with those of Eric Prince. As the appended video shows, Prince is suspected of other shady activities in Libya.

Another attempt to retake oil ports in Libya's oil crescent fails

(December 7) The Libya Observer claims a coalition of groups including members of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG), the Islamist Defend Benghazi Brigades (DBB), plus some brigades loyal to the UN-brokered unity government tried to retake the oil crescent ports.

The ports were captured from the Petroleum Facilities Guards, headed by Haftar-opponent Ibrahim Jodhran back in September by the Libyan National Army (LNA) commanded by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. Mercenaries were apparently involved. Anearlier counter-attack by the PFG and others on September 19th failed miserably. This one appears to be failing as well.

The Libya Observer claims that the Oil Ports and Fields Liberation Room allegedly associated with the UN-brokered Government of National Accord(GNA) aimed to "uproot the mercenaries, hired by Dignity Operation to seize the ports" Dignity Operationwas begun by Haftar in May of 2014 to clear Libya of Islamists whom he considered his enemies. This includes many brigades loyal to the GNA. However, the Presidential Council (PC) of the GNA issued a statement claiming that they gave no order for the assault. Apparently, the coalition had early successes capturing the towns of Ben Jawad and Nawfaliya east of Sirte on the way to the oil ports. The Libya Observer says that they pushed the LNA out of Sidra but later they were driven out with the help of airstrikes. It is not clear what they have managed to retain.

Jadallah al-Okli, of the National Oil Corporation, said that the situation in the oil ports was normal and that the industry had not been affected by the ongoing military operations. He said: “We have taken precaution measures in the oil crescent region and oil production is working just as usual.”

The Libyan Observer notes that in a televised interview on Sky News Arabia, General Ahmad Al-Samaray, of the LNA claimed that Al-Qaeda is behind the attack working in colloboration with brigades from Misrata as well as from those loyal to the GNA defense minister Al-Mahdi Al-Barghathi. However, as noted earlier the GNA has denied it has any connection to the violence. The Libya Observer points out that the Rana Jawad a BBC reporter among others claim that the general's statements are false.

A recent tweet notes: #Libya-Vehicles destroyed in LNA repelling of Oil Crescent offensive carrying signs identifying them as "Ministry of Defense (#GNA)-12 Bde" It would seem that the GNA Ministry of Defense vehicles if not their personnel were involved in the attack. Another tweet also notes: "Claudia Gazzini Yet DefMin logo on cars; commander of ops Idris Musa Bughuetin close to Def Min Barghathi, as is Osama al-Obidi, captured by LNA today." This would appear strong evidence of involvement of the GNA defense minister. However, Libya reporting often involves propagandizing for one side or another. In a brief report, Reuters quotes Mohamed Qabaili a spokesperson for the PFG, said the attacking forces fired rockets as they attempted to move east towards the ports.

Now that the Islamic State has been defeated in Sirte some of the anti-Haftar brigades may soon be involved in attacking Haftar or defending against attacks he makes. The situation is complicated even more by clashes between rival militias in Tripoli. There appears to be no sign of any solution that could bring Haftar and the House of Representatives (HoR) government to accept the GNA and the PC.

Interview with UN Envoy Martin Kobler on situation in Libya

The Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) was signed on the 17th of December nearly a year ago. In an interview for the Libya Herald, Martin Kobler, head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) assesses the progress in implementing the LPA.

In an earlier interview, GNA Prime Minister and head, Faiez Serraj, had admitted that the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and its Presidency Council (PC) had failed to make progress since it had arrived in Tripoli at the end of March. Kobler defended the LPA and the GNA noting that the GNA had wide international support and forces loyal to it had successfully fought the Islamic State(IS). While Kobler is correct about the international support it has not translated into resources for the GNA to tackle its many problems. While the Al-Banyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM) forces have virtually eliminated IS from its last stronghold in Sirte, it has mostly been achieved through brigades linked to the city of Misrata. The GNA has yet to have its own army and has failed to convince rival commander in the east Khalifa Haftar to serve under the command of the GNA. Haftar contributed nothing to liberating Sirte even though he had promised to do so.

Kobler admitted that the LPA had "implementation problems" a main problem being that the House of Representatives has failed to pass the constitutional amendment that is required to incorporate the LPA in the Transitional Constitutional Declaration of 2011. There seems to be a new emphasis on this step whereas before the emphasis was on the acceptance of the GNA through a vote of confidence. The HoR has twice voted down confidence motions in the GNA the last time being August 22. At the time a new GNA with a much smaller cabinet was to be presented within ten days. Kobler says nothing about the GNA presenting this new cabinet and here it is now December 4. He simply notes that the "HoR has accepted the LPA in principle and as a framework, and recognizes the Presidency Council". I am not sure what he means by the HoR recognizing the Presidency Council. It considers the Al-Thinni government of the HoR based in Tobruk to be the legitimate government of Libya not the GNA. Perhaps he means as part of the LPA. However, the HoR government does not believe the GNA is legally in existence until the HoR amends the constitutional declaration and votes confidence in it.

Kobler fails to mention that the HoR specifically wants section eight of the LPA deleted. The section makes the PC rather than Khalifa Haftar head of the armed forces. This is a key sticking point. As a way around the situation Kobler says: ‘‘There is a consensus by the major international stakeholders that the LPA should remain the framework of development. This does not mean that it is set in stone and it is very important that there is a process to discuss the deficiencies of the LPA." Kobler has changed his position in that he has constantly claimed that the LPA cannot be amended at least until it has been passed as it is.

Kobler said the Libya Dialogue members requested the HoR to pass the constitutional amendment. Apparently this is thought to be necessary to make the mainly advisory High State Council functional. Perhaps it is more a concern that the group have some semblance of legality. The process of their formation was highly suspect. A controversial decision by them supposedly made them the legislature of the GNA until the HoR voted confidence in the GNA.

The Libya Herald notes that the HoR is quite clearly refusing to pass the constitutional amendment. A two-thirds majority would be required to pass it. Kobler says:‘‘The political problems have to be solved. And I request the Libyan stakeholders to sit together, including members of the HoR, to pass the constitutional amendment. Or at least to say what should be done to make the LPA work.‘The problems have to be put on the table and then people can discuss it. The State Council is not functioning, the HoR is not functioning. All the institutions are not fulfilling their duties, including also the HoR.

It took the HoR six months and eight days to decide that they reject the list of the GNA members: it could have been done in a few days. Now, the HoR has, as per the LPA, the duty to fulfill. To pass the constitutional amendment and to endorse the GNA’’.Events should have been telling the UN for a long time now that the the LPA is not working out. Kobler cannot even bring himself to mention Khalifa Haftar and the problem of section eight. Kobler wants the parties to say what changes they have in mind to the LPA. He has been told many times about removing section eight and has been told many times that the GNA cabinet is too large among other problems. Now the parties are to get together to tell the UN what they want done since of course: "We the international community are not imposing anything. It is up to the Libyans what to do." This has never been true and is unlikely ever to be true. External players have too much to win or lose, particularly with respect to Libya's oil resources, not to attempt to influence the form the Libyan government takes.

Kobler suggests that the constitutional amendment needs to be signed so that the LPA and the GNA with the PC and State High Council become part of the "constitutional setup of the country" and Libyans become owners of the LPA. But before the HoR could abolish the LPA it would be accepting it with section eight, which is not acceptable to the HoR. Why would the HoR pass an amendment that accepts an LPA they reject? There is no sign of any meeting to do so.

Kobler complains that at present there is no real owner of the LPA. Amazing, all along Kobler has justified the setting up of the GNA, the PC, moving to Tripoli etc. by reference to the LPA even though the LPA is apparently not owned, whatever that means. If the HoR passes the constitutional amendment it would become owner of the agreement. Perhaps what Kobler has in mind is that if the HoR passed the amendment it would then be the legislature of the GNA. It could then amend the LPA. However, one can imagine what would happen at the level of the PC and the High State Council if the HoR decided to make Haftar head of the GNA armed forces.

Kobler agrees that the GNA cannot continue to be protected by militia but needs a Libyan national army. The Herald pointedly asks Kobler, given that he seems to have no positive dynamic between Ageela, Haftar and the HoR, if he is part of the problem and should perhaps step aside. No doubt this is a question many would ask! Koblerreplies: ”No. I feel overwhelmed by the degree of sympathy wherever I am. In the markets, everywhere. People personally tell me you and the UN have to do more. Please stay with us. We need your support as the international community. You have to be better. Stay with us. Accompany us on this way to peace and security. And I feel this very strongly’’. He admits that some people in Tobruk might not like him. He was unable to leave Tobruk airport recently because of protests.

Kobler notes that the GNA is recruiting a Presidential Guard to help protect it. He does not mention that the previous Presidential Guard defected and is now supporting members of the former Salvation Government who are occupying the Rixos hotel facilities as part of an attempted coup. He notes that an army has to be built up and a police force as well. At the same time some way must be found to either disband militias or incorporate them into a national army or police. However, almost nothing seems to be happening along these lines. Rival militias clashed in Tripoli for several days recently as shown on the appended video.

Islamic State forces driven from their positions on the outskirts of city of Derna

Quite different accounts are emerging of recent fighting on the outskirts of Derna. According to the Libya Observer, fighters from the Shura Council drove the Islamic State fighters out of their base in the nearby Fatayah mountains.

Media reports claim the militants retreated under heavy fire from the fighters with many being killed. The Shura forces were hunting down any remaining Islamic State fighters in the area. The Senior commander of the Derna Shura Council forces, Mohammed Dango claimed that the entire Fatayah region was under their full control. Derna has long been under the control of the council with the Islamic State still on the outskirts and nearby mountain areas. There is no mention of the Libyan National Army (LNA) that was also attacking the Islamic State in the area.

The Libya Herald gives a quite different account. It reports that the LNA has finally cleared the Islamic State out of the Derna area. Abdulkarim Sabra, spokesperson for the LNA Operations Room covering the Derna area said the army had taken control of Derna's south eastern suburb of Fatayah or District 400 at the far east end of Derna. The area was taken after a ground and air offensive codenamed "Death Pledge."

Sabra claimed the Islamic State fighters managed to escape and had retreated on express orders of Abu Al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State caliph. He said they retreated towards Sirte in 32 vehicles. He said they had fueled up at a petrol station before destroying it. GIven that there is all this knowledge of the IS movements how is it that air action was not taken to destroy the convoy? Apparently it was left to continue to Sirte. Sabra claimed two soldiers had been killed and one injured in fighting. The Herald mentions that there have been local clashes between Derna jihadists and the IS. The Herald says that there is unofficial collaboration between the LNA and the Derna Council.

Within Derna, the Herald says anti-Haftar critics claimed that IS was forced out solely by the Council fighters, not the LNA. The Herald reports LNA helicopters were still targeting Fatayah in the afternoon and evening. Given that the area is now claimed to be controlled by the 102 brigade of the LNA it is strange that there would still be helicopter attacks. On Twitter there are numerous exchanges about what is happening with some claiming that Haftar forces are now attacking areas controlled by the Shura council. One tweet said: Col. Manfur, commander of #Benina airbase confirmed they carried the air raid on #Derna, after #ISIS was defeated.

#Libya @UNSMILibyaHere is a short sample of tweets showing the divergent views on what is happening: Mohamed Eljarh ‏@Eljarh

@W_Lacher Without cutting supply lines, restricting movement by taking up positions around Derna,Airstrikes it would not have been possible.

Wolfram Lacher ‏@W_Lacher 12h12 hours ago

@Eljarh "LNA" cut off supply lines to those fighting IS in Darna over the past weeks. According to army officers leading forces in Darna.

@W_Lacher @Eljarh Did you listen to Hiftar forces in Ain Marrah leaked audios threatening people of Derna? Lol what an National Army

In Derna itself, people took to the streets to celebrate the defeat of IS. The Shura Council of Revolutionaries contains groups said to have links to Al Qaeda. Those in control of Derna oppose the House of Representatives government and even more the commander in chief of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar.

Libya Herald report claims GNC government in Tripoli has vanished

There have been a number of rumors about what is happening in Libya, some turning out to be false. An article in the Libya Herald reports that the General National Congress (GNC) government in Tripoli has virtually disintegrated.

The Libya Herald is usually opposed to the GNC. An article by Saber Ayyub begins:

 The self-styled National Salvation government appointed by the rump of the General National Congress and led by Khalifa Ghwell has not so much collapsed as completely vanished. Ghwell left Tripoli last night for Misrata. The prime ministry on the Sikka Road was taken over yesterday afternoon by members of Presidency Council’s Temporary Security Committee. Its files and computers were sealed.Other reports also note that the prime ministry office was taken over.

The Libya Observer, usually pro-GNC, has no coverage at all of the most recent events. It does, however, have a report on changes that the Grand Mufti wants to the LPA before he finds it acceptable. One has to do with the definition of "terrorism." A key change would sideline Haftar and other former members of Gadaffi's army: Sheikh Al-Gharyani also called for amendment to the security arrangement article so that it excludes killers and oppressors who shed the innocents' blood, in reference to Khalifa Haftar and his army.Such an amendment would infuriate Haftar supporters and would never be passed.

The Herald article claims a Misrata source said that elders from the city as well as members of its military council went to Tripoli and met with Ghwell the GNC PM and told him he had to give up. Misrata is Ghwell's home and the report claimed he returned to Misrata with the delegation. The source also said:The Misratans also reportedly visited Martyrs’ Square where Misratan militia leader Salah Badi had been holding an anti-Serraj demo. “ They told him to go home,” said the source “and he did”.There is a considerable amount of psychological warfare going on and until other sources verify this account it remains unsubstantiated. Even so, the GNA is meeting with the Central Bank head, who is cooperating with the GNA in what appears to be a deliberate attempt to disrupt financial services and starve the GNC of funds.

Many of the GNC members will have jobs within the State Council that is part of the GNA. Giving in is not really an entirely losing proposition, especially when compared with having no means to have your salary paid. The Herald report also says Abu Sahmain, president of the GNC, also is thought to have gone home to Zuwara to the west of Tripoli. One person who did not go to meet with Serraj was the Grand Mufti Al-Ghariani.

Sahmain did make a statement. Surprisingly it is not yet reported by the Libya Observer but only by the Herald which called the statement unusually mild. However, he did describe the Tripoli arrival of the Presidency Council of the GNA as an "illegitimate coup". He claimed that there had to be more national agreement and disputed issues solved before the GNA would have legitimacy. He strongly condemned the attack on the pro-GNC TV station that closed it down, as well as an attack on a member of the GNC administration Abu Zakok. He called for self-control by all sides and avoidance of violence. It seems the statement was on behalf of the GNC.

Martin Kobler, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) congratulated Faiez and the Presidency Council on their work and noted their meetings in their headquarters. Surprisingly Kobler noted that he had just returned from Istanbul where he made met with a number of parties and also Abdelhakim Belhaj:Kobler confirmed that he had just returned from Istanbul where he had met with members of political parties including Belhaj where he said he urged them to use their influence to call for the peaceful transition to the GNA.

Belhaj is a radical Islamist. Meeting with him will be viewed with considerable suspicion by Haftar and his Operation Dignity supporters.

Perhaps the HoR will also decide to capitulate. All the members of the HoR will have jobs, as the HoR is the legislature of the GNA. It is not clear what the status of General Haftar is at present except that he is still head of the LNA when according to the LPA he should not be. Nevertheless, the Justice and Construction Party of the Muslim Brotherhood supports the GNA. This will make Haftar and supporters of his Operation Dignity quite wary of giving power to the GNA. One never knows what the next day will bring in Libya. Perhaps the vanished GNC will magically reappear tomorrow.

UK and Jordanian special forces working together in Libya

The Guardian reports that British special forces (SAS) have been deployed in Libya alongside Jordanian special forces since the beginning of this year.

The Guardian claim is based on a leaked memo in which U.S. lawmakers were briefed by Jordan's King Abdullah on plans for Jordan's own special forces to operate in Libya alongside those of the UK. The meeting was in the week of January 11. The memo said that the king met with congressional leaders including John McCain, Bob Corker, and Paul Ryan speaker of the House of Representatives. The king remarked that the Jordanian forces could be useful for the U.S. in that Jordanian slang is quite similar to Libyan slang.

The UK Ministry of Defence did not comment on the operations of the UK special forces and none of the high-ranking US senators contacted would grant an interview. One senate source did admit that the U.S. legislators met with the king in January but did not comment on what was discussed. Jordan is a key ally of the U.S. in the Middle East, having provided it with over $15 billion in military aid over a number of years.

Angus Robertson of the Scottish National party asked that UK special forces (SAS) be subject to parliamentary oversight but PM David Cameron rejected the demand. Crispin Blunt, the foreign affairs select committee chair, said:“King Abdullah gives a level of insight that we don’t get from our own governments. He has given presentations to parliamentarians behind closed doors in the past. We don’t get that from our own ministers. When [the foreign office minister] Tobias Ellwood told us about RAF flights over Libya these were plainly in support of special forces missions. But when we asked for details we were told the government doesn’t comment on special forces...There is a tendency for the British establishment to work out everything very carefully and then present it to parliament as ‘a take it or leave it’ choice. And then ministers wonder why they have difficulties in parliament.”In an interview with Atlantic magazine recently, U.S. President Barack Obama criticized Cameron for not following through to ensure a smooth transition to democracy in Libya after Gadaffi was overthrown.

The UK and Jordanians probably have the support of the internationally-recognized House of Representatives (HoR), as well as the commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army, General Khalifa Haftar. In July of last year, Haftar was threatened with sanctions and named to be sanctioned by the EU. The next month he travelled to Jordan and signed a military agreement with the country. Nothing more was heard about any sanctions against him and he obviously has the support of Jordan.

Tripoli-based General National Congress government to boycott scheduled Libya peace talks

The Tripoli-based General National Congress(GNC) government has decided that it will not attend upcoming dialogue talks that will be held to further implementation of an agreement on the formation of a Government of National Accord.

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The dialogue process has been directed by the UN special envoy to Libya, Bernardino Leon. Two days of dialogue last week brought all the parties together after the GNC had received assurances from Leon that its suggested amendments to the draft agreement would be incorporated in any final agreement. While the meetings ended on a positive note with no parties leaving until the end, the GNC remains unconvinced that its proposed amendments will be included in any final draft. Until Leon provides such assurance, the GNC will boycott upcoming meetings to further the implementation of the agreement.

The latest fifth draft of the agreement is an amended version of the fourth draft and includes amendments supported by the internationally recognized House of Representatives(HoR) government based in Tobruk. The amendments remove powers that the GNC had in the earlier draft. Even though the changes caused the GNC to walk out of dialogue talks, Leon went ahead and had others including the HoR initial the agreement in July. So far Leon has not agreed to any further amendments and has tried to convince the GNC that its concerns can be met during discussion of the annexes to the agreement that involve formation of the government and implementation of the agreement. Earlier in meetings with Leon the GNC had rejected that approach. First Deputy President of the GNC, Awad Abdul-Sadiq, said:"The GNC has made a lot of concessions to stop bloodshed and solve the crisis, if the UNSMIL head Leon didn't give a chance for inclusion of all GNC amendments, I would hold the UNSMIL and its chief responsible for the failure of the dialogue which then will not be binding."

There is supposed to be a parallel military dialogue alongside the political dialogue. The UN envoy often reports little or nothing as to what is happening. There is nothing on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya(UNSMIL) site about the GNC refusal to participate in upcoming meetings. There is nothing about when the meetings will be held either. They will probably be held in Skhirat Morroco, the site of earlier meetings. On the military dialogue there is complete silence even though without agreement of the Tripoli militia Libya Dawn and the armed forces of the HoR government commanded by CIA-linked General Khalifa Haftar, no political agreement can be implemented. Haftar calls the Tripoli militia terrorists and will not negotiate with them or agree to a ceasefire. Both he and the Libya Dawn militia have rejected the peace agreement. The HoR government has accepted it.

There is no reporting on what is happening with the dialogue process. Press attention is all on the Islamic State(IS) and its supposed threat. However, IS has recently suffered a huge setback in the loss of its first and main base in the city of Derna. They were driven out by rival Islamists into the surrounding area. While IS occupies Sirte, it is hardly expanding its territory after recent gains and is now plagued by uprisings by Sirte citizens, which it put down with great brutality apparently. The issue of what is happening in the dialogue has disappeared from press radar for now. There could be some fanfare should Leon reconvene the dialogue participants without the GNC delegates. The best that could happen now is that Leon is able to find a way to accommodate GNC concerns so that all the participants gather in Skhirat. Leon hopes to finalize the agreement by the end of this month.

Libyan commander-in-chief Haftar dismisses sanctions against him as meaningless

he EU has drawn up a list of five Libyans it says will be sanctioned. The sanctions will include an asset freeze in all EU countries and a travel ban as well.

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Included in the list of those to be sanctioned is CIA-linked General Khalifa Haftar, head of the internationally-recognized government's armed forces. The Tobruk government or House of Representatives (HoR) controls the eastern part of LIbya. Most of the western part is controlled by the Tripoli or GNC government. The head of the HoR government's air force is also listed to be sanctioned.

There are three individuals from the Tripoli umbrella militia organization Libya Dawn also named. The militia group has rejected the last draft of a peace accord presented to dialogue participants. The General National Congress(GNC) government in Tripoli has also rejected the draft and refused to continue the peace dialogue until amendments it presented are considered. The UN envoy Bernardino Leon insists there can be no further amendments.

While the Tobruk government has signed the UN draft agreement, Haftar has insisted he will never negotiate with Libya Dawn, whom he calls terrorists, nor will he agree to a ceasefire. Even now, Haftar is engaged in an offensive in Benghazi against an umbrella group of Islamists, the Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries. The group includes Ansar al-Sharia, who are accused of the attack on the U.S. Consul in Benghazi that killed the US ambassador and several others. The UN has condemned the conflict that has devastated much of Benghazi. Haftar has retaken most of the city but at the cost of a great deal of damage and loss of life. Haftar is apparently being asked to step aside so that the Government of National Accord can be formed.That document would give a presidential council of the president and his two deputies the role of commander in chief of the armed forces presumably putting Haftar out of a job:2. Terms of Reference of the Presidency Council of the Council of Ministers:

a. Assume the functions of the Supreme Commander of the Libyan army

Haftar maintains his legitimacy comes from his appointment by the HoR as commander-in-chief. The new agreement validates all previous legislation of the HoR, except when it conflicts with the new agreement. However, it is doubtful that the HoR would ever agree to firing Haftar. If they ever did, there would probably be a military coup in short order. Haftar has continually snubbed the UN and the international community with complete immunity. It may be that the EU has had enough and is finally forcing the issue of side-lining Haftar. The draft agreement was an anomaly from the first and a recipe for continued civil war given the circumstances. To talk about a peace agreement when one of two rival governments did not agree to it is ridiculous to begin with. The agreement is just an attempt to isolate the Tripoli government and its militia and try to force them to accept a deal that gives them very little power in the Government of National Accord. There would be more chance of the GNC and their militia signing on to the deal if they were assured that Haftar would go. He does not seem at all inclined to do so.

Haftar's spokesperson,Mohammed al-Hejazi, told the IB Times: "The sanctions are meaningless. At the moment we have only heard reports in the media and have had no formal message ...If the West calls us criminals it makes no difference to us because we are fighting terrorism and will continue."Both Haftar and the Libya air force commander say they cannot abide by the UN agreement even though their own government negotiators have agreed to it.

There is no word from the special UN envoy Bernardino Leon as to whether the process of forming the government has actually begun. The GNC is not participating whereas one of the bodies in the new government is a Council that has 90 of 120 members from the GNC:The State Council shall consist of one hundred and twenty (120) members. They shall be selected via consultation among the parties participating in the Libyan Political Dialogue, provided that ninety (90) members of them are selected from among the members of the General National Congress, who were elected in July 2012 through an agreed mechanism in Annex 3 of this Agreement.Leon says the agreement cannot be amended. Perhaps, Leon can find 90 members of the GNC who would serve on the Council, but that is doubtful given that the GNC rejects the agreement. The EU is apparently anxious to see the formation of a national unity government so that it can get formal approval for a naval mission designed to combat people-smugglers off the Libyan coast, resulting in a huge influx of migrants into Europe. It is not clear why the EU thinks that a unity government would help the situation, given that one of the rival governments is not a party to the agreement and both of the governments have objected to the mission as violating Libya's sovereignty.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Garcia-Margalio told reporters:"We can't just sit here while tragedies are happening. If dialogue is not bringing progress, it seems to me to be logical to impose sanctions,"

It is not clear how sanctions will help at all. The big powers always seem to think that sanctions will force parties to do what they want but often the sanctions make it more difficult to find a solution to conflicts. Reuters claims that a confidential discussion paper it saw included a range of sanctions including a full oil embargo.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya(UNSMIL) has no news about the process of implementing the UN peace agreement. There is supposed to be a parallel dialogue with the rival military forces of the Tripoli and Tobruk government. Some time ago the UN envoy Bernardino Leon met with commanders connected with the Tripoli government in Misrata but without informing the senior command of the Tripoli forces. He was also supposed to meet with representatives from the Tobruk forces loyal to Haftar in Cairo. He has never reported on that meeting even though it must have happened weeks ago now.

UNSMIL gives press reports that are mostly filled with elevated rhetoric about the promises of the peace dialogue and tongue-lashings to those who do not cooperate. In my opinion, Leon deliberately decided to draft an agreement he knew that the GNC would not sign. He is forging ahead with a hopelessly flawed agreement. It is not surprising that Leon is issuing no reports on progress. Even though the Tobruk government has initialled the agreement, its main armed forces commanders have pledged not to abide by it. This agreement is a disaster with widespread international support. Powerful foreign players seem to be committed to creating another disastrous civil war in Libya.

CIA-Linked Libya Commander General Khalifa Haftar is untouchable

There is ample evidence to show that General Khalifa Haftar is untouchable no matter what he does to directly snub his nose at the UN-supported peace talks promoted by the U.S. and other countries.

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Haftar first initiated a failed coup in February 2014. An arrest warrant was issued to apprehend him for attempting a coup. In May he started his Operation Dignity to purge Libya of Islamists, including not only an attack on Islamic militias in Benghazi but also burning down the parliament buildings. He was still not arrested even though the then prime minister of the interim government Abdullah al-Thinni called his actions illegal and noted there was a warrant out for his arrest. He was never arrested. He was untouchable.

Now in April 2015 the same Abdullah al-Thinni is prime minister of the internationally recognized government in Tobruk. Instead of arresting Haftar, Thinni is such a strong supporter of Haftar that he made him commander of the armed forces. Haftar has said that he is going to recapture Benghazi which, until Haftar's recent offensive, was mostly held by the Council of Shura Revolutionaries. He has also vowed to retake Tripoli. He has had the full support of Al Thinni and his government in his actions and announcements.

Until recently, he has completely rejected the peace talks calling them discussions with terrorists. Even though he does not now reject them outright, he says there will be no ceasefire with militias. This position completely rejects a key feature of the negotiations, which would involve a ceasefire and complete cessation of hostilities between the militia of the two competing governments. The UN has continually warned the parties not to take military or other actions that would jeopardize the peace process on pain of facing sanctions. Consider what Haftar has done.

Haftar bombed the Mitiga airport before a recent series of talks began. During the talks he started an offensive against Tripoli. There was a pause in the talks and just when they were to resume again Haftar bombed the Mitiga airport near Tripoli just before Tripoli representatives were to leave for the talks. The talks had to be delayed until the next day. Again there were denunciations by the UN and a warning that parties who are responsible for taking actions that disrupted the peace process could face sanctions. Did Haftar get the message? The message that Haftar had been getting for some time is that no one would stop him if he continued what he had intended to do, and that is defeat the Islamists, including the alternative government and its militia.

Just as the new supposedly final and most important rounds of talks were to begin, Haftar's forces bombed Mitiga airport again at least according to a spokesperson for the Libyan National Army(LNA) of which he is commander. There are other reports that indicate that a military base ten kilometres away was the target. The attack happened just as the Tripoli representatives' plane was about to take off. The UN envoy in charge of the peace talks, Bernardino Leon, complained that “we have never seen air strikes at the moment when one of the delegations is taking off on its way to the talks.” Leon demanded an investigation.

This will certainly ensure that Haftar will stop all his nasty ways. Haftar has never tried to cover up the fact that he was behind the other bombings and his spokesperson has acknowledged the LNA is behind the present bombings. I await the announcement that Khalifa Haftar has been sanctioned. The idea that Haftar would accept any unity government with any Islamists in it is risible. He has often said that he would not. There will be no political solution or peace as long as Haftar is commander of the Tobruk government armed forces. Western supporters of the peace process must know this. The west has been outmanoeuvred by Egypt, Russia, the UAE, and the Saudis. Russia is now a big friend and military supplier to Egypt with the US now deciding all of a sudden that it should release military funds to Egypt to the tune of $1.3 billion to help fight terrorism. Egypt may well use some of this military weapons bonanza to help their fellow anti-Islamist warrior Khalifa Haftar in Libya. No one dare touch Haftar.

Islamist militias in Tripoli and Benghazi Libya reject peace talks brokered by UN

- Islamist militias in Tripoli and also in Benghazi rejected the UN brokered peace talks that are aimed at ending the conflict between mostly Islamist militias and supporters of CIA-linked General Khalifa Haftar.

The Libya Dawn coalition centered in Tripoli said that it would continue with its military operations. The group controls Tripoli. The Shura of Benghazi Revolutionaries that controls most of Benghazi except the airport which is controlled by Haftar loyalists, rejected the talks as unfair.
 The UN envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon is asking that all parties agree to an immediate ceasefire. No representatives of militias were at the talks. Members of the rival government in Tripoli formed by the Islamist militias, however, did attend a UN-backed meeting in Ghadames on September 29, last Monday. There were 12 members from the Tobruk-based House of Representatives elected this spring and from the rival government formed by a rival prime minister Omar al-Hassi chosen by the General National Congress. Leon said: "We have agreed to start a political process to address all issues in a peaceful way with a very strong call for a complete ceasefire throughout the country. Members of the House of Representatives were sending a very clear message that they wanted to solve the problems for people in Libya – the people who are suffering, after weeks of confrontation. They equally agreed that humanitarian relief would be provided for all Libyans." Naim Ghariani of the House of Representatives called on all sides to talk to commanders to arrange an immediate ceasefire: "We are committed to this dialogue. This was a preliminary meeting to launch dialogue and there was keenness to send a positive and optimist message." Another MP Aisa Al-Arabi from the Tobruk group said: "There were some differences in viewpoint, but the desire for the success of this dialogue was clear from both sides, due to the certainty of both parties that the alternative is bad and will result in a civil war tearing the country and leading us to a war that may not end for years."
The talks in Ghadames just a day after prime minister Abdullah al-Thani's new government took office in the eastern city of Tobruk. Some countries such as France have been calling for foreign intervention in Libya. There has been some foreign intervention already in that the Islamist militias who took over Tripoli were subject to bombing attacks in several night raids that Haftar claims were joint operations of his forces and the international community. Rebels, and the US at first, blamed the attacks on Egypt and the UAE. Both countries deny they were involved in the bombings. Haftar does not have aircraft of the type used in the raids.
 At a recent meeting of 15 countries and officials of the elected Libyan government in Madrid Spain, the group rejected the idea of foreign intervention in Libya. However, Egypt has now offered to help train pro-government forces. Egypt's President el-Sisi is anxious to see the powerful Islamist militias in Libya defeated. His own government has declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group even though they won the first free elections in Egypt after Mubarak was overthrown. El-Sisi led the coup that resulted in the ouster of former president Morsi.

Helicopters of CIA-linked General Haftar bomb Islamists in Benghazi Libya

Operating from an airport on outskirts of Benghazi helicopters of General Khalifa Haftar have been bombing ammunition sites belonging to Islamists in the city.

A umbrella group of Islamist militias took over control of most of Benghazi at the end of July after seizing bases associated with Libyan Special Forces allied with General Haftar and who were providing security for Benghazi. Haftar retained control of the civilian and military airport on the outskirts and still does although Islamists forces subject it to constant bombardment.

 Back in May of this year began his operation called Operation DIgnity against Islamist militias and against the government that he claimed was dominated by Islamists. He attacked two Islamist bases in Benghazi to start and then his allies the Zintan brigades attacked, set the parliament afire and kidnapped a number of Islamist legislators and officials. However, they still worked for the government to provide security for the Benghazi international airport.

 After a series of clashes with militia from Misrata they ultimately were defeated and lost control of the airport. The entire city of Tripoli is now under control of an umbrella group called Libya Dawn. They even occupied a residential annex to the US embassy, that long ago was vacated by the US as the security situation worsened. 

Several mysterious night bombings attacks were launched on Islamist positions in Libya while they were in the process of defeating Haftar allies there and driving them out of the city. Haftar claimed these attacks were joint operations with the international community. The US accused the UAE of providing the planes and Egypt of providing the bases from which they attacked. Both countries deny involvement. They did nothing to stop the Islamist takeover but the US claims confirmed what the Islamists had been claiming about the attacks. Perhaps some of the helicopters and other aircraft that Haftar has used in bombing also come from outside Libya. 

Islamists called a meeting of the General National Congress and elected a rival prime minister to that of the House of Representatives that meets in Tobruk where it is beyond influence of Islamist militias that now control both Benghazi and Tripoli. 

  Some analysts fear that commercial aircraft apparently captured by Islamist militias may mount some type of terrorist act on the anniversary of 9/11. This article points out the difficulties involved in mounting any such attack. Members of Libyan Dawn took photos of themselves beside captured airliners and posted them on line.

The clashes between Haftar's militia he calls the New Libyan Army and the many allied Islamist groups including the Libyan Shield in both Benghazi and Tripoli are reported to have displaced 100,000 people already.Even more, 150,000 thousand including many foreign workers have fled the country. Professor Mohamed Chtatou of the University of Mohammed V in Rabat in Morocco notes that the government accepted as legitimate outside of Libya is mostly a government in name only:The “paper” government and the “paper” assembly are now squatting the coastal town Tobrouk, known for its airbase, with no power, no future prospects and no money. They have gone that far east for two basic reasons: to be close to Egypt to seek help to reconquer the country, but that seems to be rather a wishful thinking, and if all fails, find shelter in this country. But by being territorially in Libya, they are, quite rightly, clinging to the elusive hope that the West might come to their rescue and restore their legitimacy by the use of force. Of course help has come already with bombing raids and perhaps also the helicopters and other aircraft Haftar uses for bombing the Islamist bases may also be aid. The good professor does not mention Haftar's CIA links. He is firmly anti-Islamist.He sees the solution in Libya to be a Gadaffi type figure. Perhaps El-Sisi of Egypt would be a more likely model and Khalifa Haftar could fill the role: So, disunity will be the recurrent state of affairs, unless a strong and charismatic leader, of the Gadhafi kind, rises from the crowd to unify again the modern religious tribes by the use of raw and brutal force. Otherwise, Libya will go undeniably back to the Middle Ages, on the grounds of the tribal concept “me and my brother against my cousin,” a sad outcome of the Arab Spring in this oil-rich country, alas.  

 Big oil, the US and its allies would no doubt be happy enough to settle for such an outcome with Haftar in a key role. An article by Barak Barfi also suggests a solution along the lines of Professor Chtatou:"Washington and its partners should persuade the new Libyan government to appoint Haftar as chief of staff. Respected by his troops, he has the military skills and combat experience necessary to create a modern army. But most important, he is the sole Libyan willing to take on the Islamist militias that are preventing the establishment of a modern state." 

 As the Daily Mail puts it: Egypt's military government is currently looking into intervening in the country to restore order. The U.S. is taking a more conservative role in the country, but Secretary of State John Kerry said last week that he would be delivering Apache attack helicopters to Egypt. Maybe those attack helicopters will be on their way to General Haftar.