US House Foreign Affairs Committee: Haftar’s war crimes to be probed by FBI, Justice Dept.

The US House Foreign Affairs Committee urged in a hearing on Wednesday on Libya for the American Justice Department, Attorney General, and FBI to investigate war crimes committed by Khalifa Haftar in Libya, especially his and his subordinates’ latest crimes in their offensive against Tripoli.

The members of the committee all agreed after the hearing to denounce Haftar’s attack on Tripoli saying it has undermined political and peace process led by the UNSMIL, creating negative consequences regionally and internationally.

The members at the House committee also said that Haftar’s claim of fighting terrorism isn’t true as it is ironic to see him fighting Misrata forces who coordinated with the US in 2016 and defeated ISIS in Sirte.

They all also agreed that the US should play a more engaging role in Libya and use its leverage to pressure Haftar’s supporters; the UAE, Egypt, France and Saudi Arabia to halt their backup and engage in helping shape a civilian state in Libya not a military rule or new dictatorship.

“There’s a need to press Haftar’s backers by the US to stop supporting dictatorship in Haftar and his power grab and return to the political process.” The US House Foreign Committee reiterated.

House member Tom Malinowski also indicated that since Haftar is an American citizen then it is about time he was held accountable for war crimes committed in Libya, adding that a letter will be sent to the Secretary of Justice, FBI Director, and the Attorney General to investigate Haftar’s war crimes.