Libya's east-based parliament promotes powerful general

Published September 15, 2016

Libya's internationally recognized parliament, which is based in the far east and effectively runs this part of the country, has promoted a powerful general.

The gesture is likely to rile the U.N.-brokered government in the capital, Tripoli, which is not recognized by the east-based parliament.

According to an announcement late Wednesday, Parliament Speaker Agila Saleh promoted Gen. Khalifa Hifter to field-marshal.

The move comes days after Hifter's forces seized three key oil terminals from a militia linked to the Tripoli government. Hifter enjoys the support of key Arab nations but is viewed in some Western powers as an obstacle to peace.

Libya drifted into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moammar Gadhafi, and today is split between rival parliaments and governments in the east and west.

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