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April 22, 2019

Libya Death Toll Climbs to 227 as Trump Backs Renegade General
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In Libya, the death toll from fighting around Tripoli has risen to at
least 227, with more than 1,100 injured, since a Libyan warlord launched
an assault on the capital city on April 5. The World Health Organization
said Sunday the fighting has displaced more than 30,000 people. The
fighting pits the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord against a
militia led by former Libyan General Khalifa Haftar, who already
controls much of eastern Libya. Haftar has dual U.S.-Libyan citizenship
and is a former CIA asset. On Friday, the White House revealed that
President Trump spoke by phone with Haftar on April 15. According to a
statement, Trump "recognized Field Marshal Haftar's significant role in
fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources, and the two
discussed a shared vision for Libya's transition to a stable, democratic
political system." News of Trump's support for Haftar drew thousands of
protesters into Tripoli's Martyrs' Square on Friday.

Nour Mohamed: "We, the Libyan people, are against Trump and against
Haftar. We want civilian rule, freedom, science and culture. We just
want to live as other people do."



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