Libya: Warlord Orders Navy to Confront Ships Invited by Libyan Government

Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter ordered his naval forces to confront foreign ships entering Libyan waters without military permission. The ships most likely to be confronted are Italian boats sent at the request of Libya’s internationally-recognized civilian government to help manage the migrant crisis. Hifter, whose name is often spelled “Haftar,” runs the largest of the armed forces claiming dominion over parts of Libya after the overthrow of Moammar Qaddafi. He gained political influence and popularity thanks to military success against the Islamic State, which at one time threatened to gobble up a fair chunk of Libya.-- More...