France-Libya Conference: High Council of State doesn’t recognize “commander Haftar”

The Head of the High Council of State (HCS) Khalid Al-Mishri told France 24 on Wednesday that he doesn’t recognize Khalifa Haftar as commander of the Libyan army, saying Haftar is “fait accompli” and not a legitimate force. 

Al-Mishri attended Tuesday the international conference on Libya in Paris along with Haftar and the Hot Speaker Aqiula Saleh and the Head of the Presidential Council Fayez Al-Sirraj, who according to the final statement of the conference, agreed on a declaration of principles that sees Libya hold elections on December 10 this year but after finishing a constitutional basis for the elections by September 16.

“Paris conference was a very important step to the Libyan political process but not a conclusive one as there are still many issues on the hold, especially the military institution in eastern Libya.” Al-Mishri explained.

He added that they were keen on having Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous Operation leaders in the conference but they were not invited.