Haftar’s deputy accuses him of allowing takfirists into his army

Libya’s Khalifa Haftar’s spokesman Muhammad Al-Hijazi has accused Haftar of overseeing acts of murder, theft and looting leading him to deflect from his ranks.

Al-Hijazi has placed himself and a number of commanders who report to him at the disposal of the Tobruk parliament.

In a speech aired by Watan Al-Karama TV channel yesterday, Al-Hijazi said that Haftar is transferring funds abroad and is supervising acts of murder and torture carried out by militias, who he described as “takfirists of another type”.

Al-Hijazi went on to say that Haftar is surrounded by mafias that carry out kidnappings, blackmail, destruction and rape. He added that the Libyans would never allow the return of anyone who resembles Gaddafi.

He described Haftar as “the agent” who “we put our hands in his hand and thought that we were going to establish a military institution together. But he is corrupt. As we stood against Gaddafi, the Muslim Brotherhood, Daesh and its sisters, and as we said to them enough is enough, we say to pathetic Khalifa Haftar enough is enough. If he considers himself to be a man let him come out in a press conference and deny [the charges].”

Proposing the formation of a military council consisting of honourable officers who have no political ambitions or lust for power or governance, he suggested the council would lead the battle against terrorism but will not intervene in political affairs or embroil itself in military plots.

He affirmed that he would continue to struggle for the sake of the country and the people.

He accused some of those closest to Haftar of purchasing luxurious and expensive flats in Egypt and Jordan and of transferring fund abroad in the millions.

“Haftar and his entourage are already creating an army whose loyalty if to Haftar and not for the country. They have worked in order to isolate and exclude prominent commanders in the army and have waged war against it and against me personally.”

He pointed out that they offered him positions outside Libya but he refused. “You cannot isolate me or exclude me.”