Western Libya’s government of national unity (GNU) has declared that working with deputy commander Saddam Haftar of the Libyan National Army (LNA) is now impossible, after allegations that Haftar’s son oversaw a “terror cell” that carried out drone attacks on fuel storage facilities and power stations in the western part of the country.
The claims state that the drone strikes were organised by a cell led by the warlord’s son, targeting critical infrastructure that supplies fuel to the region. The attacks have drawn sharp condemnation from the GNU, which has long sought to bring stability to Libya by unifying its security, judicial and political institutions.
These allegations have effectively upended the US‑backed merger plan that had seen the GNU and Haftar’s forces cooperate on a roadmap to national unity. The plan, which had been under discussion for months, now appears stalled as the GNU rejects any further collaboration with Haftar.
Saddam Haftar, who serves as the deputy commander of the LNA, has been increasingly viewed by Washington as a pivotal figure in the United States’ strategy to consolidate Libyan governance structures. His role in the LNA’s operations has made him a key, though controversial, partner in the US’s diplomatic efforts.
With the GNU’s latest statement, the prospect of a unified Libyan government under a single framework has been put on hold, leaving the country’s political future uncertain as tensions between the LNA and the GNU continue to simmer.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>
