Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO – Libya’s military has been moving toward a renegade general.

Leading Libyan commanders have pledged allegiance to Gen. Khalifa Hafter amid his attack on Al Qaida-aligned militias in the eastern city of Benghazi.

The commanders included the heads of the air force, military intelligence and special forces, who expressed support for the counter-rebel offensive, called Operation Dignity.

Hafter, had residences in Northern Virginia in recent years and was part of the 1969 coup that brought Moammar Gadhafi to power. Diplomatic sources linked the renegade general to U.S. intelligence as early as 1991.

“The air force’s chief of staff announces its full support for Operation Dignity,” Libyan Air Defense commander Col. Juma Al Abani said.

In a televised address on May 20, Al Abani called on Libyans to support the counter-rebel campaign. He said Hafter, who announced the establishment of the Libyan National Army, was determined to battle “terrorism and restore security.”

The division within the NATO-backed military has sparked battles throughout Tripoli. Units loyal to Al Abani were said to have fired anti-aircraft batteries to repel Islamist militias that sought to kill Hafter. The Libyan navy commander also escaped an assassination attempt.

Tripoli’s police department has also announced support for Hafter. In
contrast, the Libyan Revolutionaries Operations Room, based in Tripoli, said
Hafter was leading a military coup.

“We consider all current military operations as a military coup that
aims to dominate power and restore dictatorship by aborting the February 17
revolution,” Libyan Revolutionaries said.

Hafter was expected to block plans for parliamentary elections,
scheduled for June 25. On May 18, Hafter loyalists attacked parliament, said
to be controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood.

  Col. Juma Al Abani, Gen. Khalifa Hafter, Libyan heads of air force, military intelligence and special forces sign on with Gen. Hafter, Operation Dignity