No Result
View All Result
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
23 °c
Tripoli
22 ° Wed
22 ° Thu
23 ° Fri
26 ° Sat
  • Advertising
  • Contact
LibyaHerald
 
  • Home
  • Libya
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Magazine
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Register
SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • Libya
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Magazine
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result
LibyaHerald
No Result
View All Result
Home Libya

Cyrenaica’s army chief states his case

byMichel Cousins
January 24, 2014
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Cyrenaica’s army chief states his case
12
SHARES
51
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Tripoli, 26 June:

Brigadier-General Hamid Hassi is commander of . . .[restrict]the Army of Cyrenaica, an organisation set up by the National Transitional Council to protect the region during the revolution.  Libya Herald’s Ashraf Abdul-Wahab questioned him about its intentions. He has sometimes been seen as supporting federalism.

AA: What is the truth behind the cutting-off of the main road connecting between Benghazi and Tripoli at the Wadi Al-Ahmar (“The Red Valley” – the historic border between Tripolitania and Cyrenaica)?

HH: Yes, we put a checkpoint in the Wadi Al-Ahmar area but we did not try to prevent any vehicles belonging to the general public from driving across. We were only there to stop vehicles carrying weapons or any other forms of military equipment because we do not want any eastern forces or weapons reaching the western region for whatever reason.

RELATED POSTS

British Libyan Business Association and the Libyan Business Council sign MoU

Libyan-Tunisia agricultural, marine and food sector B2B meetings – Tunis 19 to 20 June

AA: It’s said that you want to set-up an independent state in the eastern province, even if by force of arms if necessary?

HH: At the moment, we’re protesting over our demands for an equal number of seats in the National General Conference. We do not want the country divided.

AA: If you are only requesting to have equal seats, why then form an army which you’ve called “The Army of Cyrenaica”?  Why did you not turn to the Constitutional and Supreme Courts or to peaceful protests?

HH: We have submitted a request to the Constitutional Court of Benghazi, but at the instructions of Mustafa Abdul Jalil, the appeal was rejected. However, we have submitted another one.

AA: Is the Army of Cyrenaica under with Ministry of Defence?

HH: No, the Cyrenaica Army is affiliated with the Chief of Staff because we do not approve of Ministry of Defense or the Defense Minister because he is a civilian and has no right to be head of a Military Ministry!

AA: Don’t you think by requesting federalism, division of the country and the formation of an independent army you will be in effect exposing yourselves to retribution of the law, which carries within its provisions the death penalty?

HH: This law has become null and void because it was made by the old tyrant.

AA: No, this law was in place since the 1950s, from the days of the Libyan Kingdom!

HH: No. Such laws have been altered and we do not approve if it.

AA: Do you still insist on supporting federalism and the division of the country, and are prepared to achieve that even it means using arms?

HH: No, we will not use force except if necessary. As it is, you can see the general situation in Libya — from Kufra to the Nafusa Mountains and to Sebha.

We insist that Tripoli remain the capital, but federalism is not about division.  We want self-rule for Cyrenaica and be in control of our assets and capabilities. We have suffered marginalization for so long.

AA: Muhammed Al-Huti stated that the new borders of a free Cyrenaica are being drawn up and that you have prepared a list of the ministers of the new state. Would you have a role in this state?

HH: Muhammed Al-Huti is an internet blogger and we do not have anything to do with him. He is the one responsible for what he says.

AA: Are you satisfied with dividing Libya into east, west and south? Don’t you think that this might encourage other areas to request the same thing?

HH: Libya is currently divided and the best proof of that is that Misrata has now in effect a separate government, and Zintan likewise.

AA: Do you expect armed confrontation with the Libyan national army led by the Ministry of Defense?

HH: There is no Libyan national army in the first place. The Ministry of Defence is unable to form a national army. In any case, we are part of General Staff. So we don’t think the General Staff is going to send military forces to fight us.

Ashraf Abdul-Wahab adds: The Libyan Defense Minister Osama Juwaily was a former officer in the Libyan armed forces but was made redundant when the former regime decided to make employment cuts. Last year, he led most of the battles in the Nafusa Mountains in the fighting against Qaddafi’s troops.

There were also reports that the main road was blocked at Wadi Al-Ahmar and that coaches from Egypt on their way to Tripoli were made to turn back. Most of the passengers had to continue their journey to Tripoli by air. [/restrict]

 
Share5Tweet3Share1

Related Posts

AMLY School is offering an innovative approach to learning in Libya
Libya

AMLY School is offering an innovative approach to learning in Libya

June 5, 2023
Attorney General orders arrests at Jumhouria bank branch for embezzlement
Libya

Members of illegal organizations given imprisonment and death sentences by Misrata Criminal Court

May 30, 2023
State recognised militia and Libyan Army clash in central Tripoli
Libya

State recognised militia and Libyan Army clash in central Tripoli

May 29, 2023
FDCC destroys non-conforming shipments of medicines, calls on suppliers to respect Libyan health standards
Libya

FDCC destroys non-conforming shipments of medicines, calls on suppliers to respect Libyan health standards

May 29, 2023
GNU to take oath at Benghazi HoR session and budget to be approved at Tripoli session: GNU
Libya

Tripoli Libyan government conducts drone strikes against criminal hideouts in western coast

May 25, 2023
AmCham Libya Networking Breakfast
Libya

US Embassy in Tripoli announces easing of visa protocol: One-year multiple entry visas now replace three-month single-entry visas

May 24, 2023
Next Post
Under assault, Tunisian government insists Mahmoudi extradition was above board

Under assault, Tunisian government insists Mahmoudi extradition was above board

Dorda Trial delayed a second time

 

Advertise on LibyaHerald

Reach thousands of our site visitors daily

240 x 400px

Advertise Here
ADVERTISEMENT

Top Stories

  • State recognised militia and Libyan Army clash in central Tripoli

    State recognised militia and Libyan Army clash in central Tripoli

    253 shares
    Share 102 Tweet 63
  • HB Group opens Apple authorised I-Shop reseller in Tripoli’s Siyahia

    75 shares
    Share 30 Tweet 19
  • British Libyan Business Association and the Libyan Business Council sign MoU

    60 shares
    Share 24 Tweet 15
  • AMLY School is offering an innovative approach to learning in Libya

    61 shares
    Share 25 Tweet 15
  • Members of illegal organizations given imprisonment and death sentences by Misrata Criminal Court

    60 shares
    Share 24 Tweet 15
LibyaHerald

The Libya Herald first appeared on 17 February 2012 – the first anniversary of the Libyan Revolution. Since then, it has become a favourite go-to source on news about Libya, for many in Libya and around the world, regularly attracting millions of hits.

Recent News

British Libyan Business Association and the Libyan Business Council sign MoU

Libyan-Tunisia agricultural, marine and food sector B2B meetings – Tunis 19 to 20 June

Sitemap

  • Why subscribe?
  • Terms & Conditions
  • FAQs
  • Copyright & Intellectual Property Rights
  • Subscribe now

Newsletters

    Be the first to know latest important news & events directly to your inbox.

    Sending ...

    By signing up, I agree to our TOS and Privacy Policy.

    © 2022 LibyaHerald - Powered by Sparx Solutions.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Login
    • Sign Up
    • Cart
    • Libya
    • Business
    • Advertising
    • About us
    • BusinessEye Magazine
    • Letters
    • Features
    • Why subscribe?
    • FAQs
    • Contact

    © 2022 LibyaHerald - Powered by Sparx Solutions.

    Welcome Back!

    Sign In with Facebook
    Sign In with Linked In
    OR

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password? Sign Up

    Create New Account!

    Sign Up with Facebook
    Sign Up with Linked In
    OR

    Fill the forms bellow to register

    *By registering into our website, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
    All fields are required. Log In

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In
    This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
    Are you sure want to unlock this post?
    Unlock left : 0
    Are you sure want to cancel subscription?