Field Marshal Haftar: The Libyan People Hold the Key to Ending the Crisis
Libya – The General Commander of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, Field Marshal Khalifa Belqasim Haftar, delivered a speech during his meeting with tribal representatives from the western coastal regions, in which he welcomed the delegations and underscored the unity and cohesion of Libyans under all circumstances.
Welcoming Tribal Delegations and Emphasising Libyan Unity
At the beginning of his address, Field Marshal Haftar said:
“We welcome you, esteemed gentlemen, with the warmest of welcomes. You are not guests of anyone, but in your own home and among your own people. The east, west, north and south of Libya form one house for a single family that includes the entire Libyan people – brothers in times of ease and hardship. No matter how harsh the circumstances become, they do not divide them; instead, they increase their cohesion and solidarity.”
He recalled the national stance shown during Storm Daniel, when people from the west, the south and all cities and towns rushed to support the people of Derna and the eastern region.
Praising the Visit and Its National Significance
Haftar added:
“Through this visit, you embody the true meaning of the strength of will in confronting difficult conditions, and you express your keenness on the cohesion of society and your readiness to confront anything that undermines the unity of the country or scatters the Libyan ranks. A salute from the depths of our hearts to you for this honourable stance, which is one of the well-known traits of our people in the west of the country.”
Describing the Crisis and the Citizen’s Hardship
The Field Marshal then turned to the economic situation, saying:
“When we look at the abundant goodness and enormous wealth with which God has blessed our country, and then see the citizen living under harsh economic conditions, struggling to secure his family’s livelihood, and see cities and villages deprived of the most basic features of development, while a few live a life of luxury and extravagance and officials are preoccupied with their quarrels and rivalries, we realise that a deep defect has struck the structure of the state and its institutions.”
He pointed to mismanagement, rampant corruption and the chaos of weapons, affirming that the state “has become incapable of performing its duties and preserving the dignity of the citizen.”
Holding Political Forces Responsible for Prolonging the Crisis
Haftar stressed that what is happening is not an inevitable fate, but rather the result of “a fabricated political crisis, for which efforts are being made, openly and behind the scenes, to prolong its duration until it appears as if it were an unchangeable destiny.”
Calling on the People to Play the Decisive Role
The General Commander affirmed:
“The only doctor capable of treating the crisis is the Libyan people, who have the genuine interest in change. The solution lies in their hands and not in the hands of others. It is up to them to determine the course of resolving the crisis by their free will and to issue the orders that must be implemented without evasion.”
He added that the Armed Forces “will remain at the side of the people and at their disposal,” considering this the starting point for building the state and exiting the current state of chaos.
Optimism About the Coming Phase
Field Marshal Haftar concluded by saying:
“We once again welcome you and highly value this visit, which brings joy and happiness to our hearts. In it, we see promising signs that a bright phase is approaching its time, and we must prepare to receive it soon, with God’s help. And peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of God.”
