Jihadists driven from Libya's second city Benghazi: Khalifa Haftar

Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar has announced the "total liberation" of the country's second-largest city, Benghazi, which was overrun by jihadists three years ago.


Haftar does not recognise the authority of the UN-backed Government of National Accord in Tripoli and instead backs a rival parliament based in Tobruk in the country's east.

"After a continuous struggle against terrorism and its agents that lasted more than three years... we announce to you the liberation of Benghazi from terrorism," Haftar, in full military regalia, said in a speech broadcast on television.

"Today Benghazi enters a new era of peace, security, reconciliation.... and reconstruction," said Haftar, paying homage to "a caravan of martyrs" who fell in the battle for the city.
 rte.ie
6/7/17