Khalifa Haftar, a prominent leader in the Libyan civil war who hold wide over the eastern part of the country, has announced this Tuesday he will run in a December 24 2021 presidential election.
The Libyan presidential election are meant to end a ten year tenure that saw the country engage in several conflicts.
A divisive figure, his candidacy is one of many points of contention overshadowing the presidential and parliamentary votes which remain in doubt with just weeks to go, despite international pressure for them to happen on time. read more
While declaring his presidential ambitions on Libyan National television, Haftar champions the need of elections in the country, saying it will bring a new era in the country which has suffered chaos and conflict since the NATO-backed uprising that ousted dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Haftar, who heads Libyan National Army force, waged war on factions in the west after the country split in 2014, including a 14-month offensive to capture Tripoli which was repelled by the internationally recognized government.
Haftar, says, “to begin the path of reconciliation, peace and construction” in the event of his victory.
His decision to run will anger many in Tripoli and western regions who say no vote in areas he holds can be fair and who accuse him of war crimes during the assault, something he denies.