Libya: 3 Killed and 4 Injured in Bid to Assassinate Renegade General

By Staff Writer 

Three people killed and four injured after a suicide bomber stormed into the compound of Khalifa Haftar, Libya's renegade general in an attempt to assassinate him outside Benghazi on Wednesday t June 4, army sources said.

Addressing the media on Thursday June 5 at his base in Marj, the general said that his response to the attackers would be stronger.

He made the statements on Libya Awilan TV and then on local radio after receiving treatment for the injuries he sustained after an attempt on his life by a suicide bomber in his compound at a nearby hospital.

It appears even though the blast, which killed three and inured at least four, occurred some outside Hafter’s house; it was of sufficient strength to imperil those inside.

Hafter told reporters he was in good health following the attack and ready to continue his operation. 

He added that the attack against him and his forces would not shake his resolve to fight terrorism in Libya,” it just made us to strike harder and stronger.”

“Terrorist forces in Benghazi will not reach their goal. And for Mohammed Al-Zahawi, Commander of Ansar Al-Sharia in this city, had brought the consequences of his actions on himself,” he said.

Earlier on a suicide bomber had drove a Land Cruiser packed with explosives to the base of retired general Khalifa Haftar, his spokesperson Mohamed El-Hejazi said, adding Haftar had not been hurt.

Military sources said two of Haftar's guards were killed.

Hours later the “Libyan National Army”, force loyal to the general, carried out a series of airstrikes over Benghazi.

Spokesman for Hafter’s forces, Mohammed Hejazi, the press that they had bombard Islamist strongholds in Benghazi’s Sidi Faraj, Hawari and Gwarsha districts. The sounds of bombing and anti-aircraft fire could be heard around the city for over an hour.

Hejazi echoed Hafter’s earlier statements, accusing some members of the General National Congress (GNC) of aiding terrorists and blaming them for the current situation in Libya.

Haftar earlier this year, launched a campaign to what he calls purge the North African country of Islamist.