Key Libya commander announces candidacy for president

CAIRO — Libya’s almighty commander, Khalifa Hifter, filed Tuesday arsenic a campaigner successful the country’s statesmanlike elections adjacent month.

Hifter submitted his candidacy papers Tuesday successful the eastbound metropolis of Benghazi and announced the determination successful a video.

He said he’s seeking the country’s highest station to “lead our radical successful a fateful stage.”

Libya has been wracked by chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi successful 2011. The oil-rich federation had for years been divided betwixt a authorities successful the east, backed by Hifter, and a U.N.-supported medication successful Tripoli, aided by west-based Libyan militias. Each broadside has besides had the enactment of mercenaries from countries specified arsenic Russia and Syria and antithetic determination powers.

Hifter commands the self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces but delegated his subject duties successful September to his main of staff, Abdel-Razek al-Nadhouri, for 3 months, to conscionable candidacy terms.

Hifter’s announcement comes aft Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the lad and one-time heir evident of the precocious dictator, submitted candidacy papers Sunday successful the confederate municipality of Sabha. Seif al-Islam, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court connected charges of crimes against humanity, has spent years mostly successful hiding.

If accepted, some Hifter and Seif al-Islam would beryllium among front-runners successful the Dec. 24 vote. They person stirred contention successful occidental Libya and the superior of Tripoli, the stronghold of their opponents, mostly Islamists.

Politicians and militia leaders person already expressed their rejection to their candidacies.

Hifter’s forces besieged Tripoli successful a year-long run that tried to seizure the city. The run yet failed past year, starring to U.N.-mediated talks and the enactment of a transitional authorities charged with starring Libya until the parliamentary and statesmanlike elections.