Oberst Khalifa Hifter, der 1987 im Krieg zwischen Libyen und seinem südlichen Nachbarn Tschad in Gefangenschaft geriet, galt vor seiner Desertation als enger Getreuer Gaddafis. Hifter ist offenbar nicht bereit, sich dem Militärführer der Rebellen, dem ehemaligen Innenminister Abdulfattah Junis, unterzuordnen.
On the military side, simmering tensions between two officers are frustrating combat strategy. Colonel Khalifa Hifter, a close Qaddafi supporter before he deserted following his capture by Chadian forces in 1987 during Libya’s war with its southern neighbor, has proved unwilling to fall into line behind the chief of staff, former Interior Minister Abdul Fatah Younis. Such political and military spats are likely to continue as officials attempt to consolidate their positions.