The United States will support General Commander of Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar if he succeeds in unifying Libyan institutions, Col. David B. Des Roches, associate professor at the Near East South Asia Center for Security Studies, said Thursday.
Des Roches added that the U.S., however, backs the Government of the National Accord (GNA) at this time.
However, both the GNA and the Interim Government have not controlled the situation and the crisis in Libya so far, he noted.
The retired colonel explained that if the LNA had taken control of Libya, it would have forced Libyan factions to recognize Haftar.
During a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Haftar on April 15,
Trump praised the veteran commander’s “significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya’s oil resources,” according to a Friday White House statement.
They also discussed a “shared vision for Libya’s transition to a stable, democratic political system,” the White House statement said.
On April 4, Haftar announced the launch of an offensive against Tripoli, while the government of National Accord (GNA) ordered all allied military units to gear up to defend the capital. The warring factions are currently involved in battles along the outskirts of Tripoli.
