America’s Libyan Rebels

by Enver Masud

Twenty years ago, three hundred and fifty Libyans – trained by the CIA to topple President Ghaddafi, arrived in the United States. This year, they returned to “liberate” Libya.

In 1990, operating out of neighboring Chad, when a new government less sympathetic to the U.S. mission was formed in Chad, a new home was needed for these rebels.

The rebels were flown to the U.S. from Kenya where they were temporarily housed.

The rebel leader, Col. Khalifa Haftar spent much of the past 20 years in suburban Virginia, and was reported to be the leader of a contra-style group based in the U.S. called the Libyan National Army.

Upon Col. Haftar’s return to Libya a few weeks ago, military command of the rebel tribes was “fiercely contested” between General Younes and Col. Haftar.

General Younes, who defected from the Libyan regime in late February, was “shot and killed in circumstancesthat remain unclear“.

Presumably, the three hundred and fifty Libyans – trained by the CIA to topple President Ghaddafi, returned to Libya with Col. Haftar.

Presumably, the Libyan rebels with American accents shown in crowd scenes from Libya, include some from the contingent of three hundred and fifty Libyans trained by the CIA to topple President Ghaddafi.