Haftar Appoints Son as Chief of Staff in Libya

Kokcha News Agency: Khalifa Haftar, the commander of armed forces in eastern Libya who declared himself the country’s leader in 2020, has appointed his son, Khalid Haftar, as the new Chief of Staff. This move comes shortly after Haftar named another son, Saddam Haftar, as his deputy in August.

The announcement was made through the social media accounts of Haftar’s forces, stating that Khalid Haftar was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed as the Chief of Staff, replacing Abdurrazik Al-Nazuri. Khalid Haftar, who previously served as the commander of security units, was also in charge of the 106th Brigade in eastern Libya.

This appointment is seen as part of Haftar’s efforts to strengthen his family’s grip on power in the region. Earlier this month, Haftar named his other son, Saddam Haftar, as his deputy, further consolidating his family’s influence over Libya’s military and political landscape.

Haftar’s actions have raised concerns about the increasing militarization and family control within the eastern Libyan government, as the country continues to struggle with political instability and division.