Paper: Libya demands probe into Qatari meddling as Haftar vows to retaliate

Cairo – The National Human Rights Committee in Libya demanded on Thursday that an international investigation be launched in “Qatar’s interference and financial and military support for extremists groups and organizations” in the country, Saudi Al Sharq Al Awsat reported.

Commander of the Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar for his part condemned “Qatar’s terrorist activity on Libyan land,” vowing that it will not go unpunished.

The Committee accused Qatar of backing several local militias, including the al-Qaeda-linked Shura Council of Mujahideen in Derna and Ansar al-Sharia-allied Benghazi Rebels Shura Council. It said that these militias participated in assassinations against hundreds of officers, policemen and soldiers, as well as a number of civilian, media and rights figures in the eastern region.

Qatar is stoking the conflict in Libya through its support of extremist armed groups and political powers that are practicing political violence, added the human rights committee.