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US lobby firm secures $2m contract to whitewash image of Libya’s Haftar
Middle East Eye·🕐 1 sa önce·👁 0 görüntülenme
US lobby firm secures $2m contract to whitewash image of Libya’s Haftar MEE staff on Mon, 03/23/2026 - 10:03 Ballard Partners has close ties to the Trump administration, which is is reportedly working on a power-sharing deal in Libya bypassing elections Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar attends a conference for the country's development and reconstruction, in Libya's southern city of Sebha, on 5 September 2024 (AFP) Off A US lobbying firm closely connected to the Trump administration has been handed a $2m contract to represent Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, who faces multiple allegations of human rights abuses. Lobbying disclosure agreements reported by the Washington Post revealed that Ballard Partners, which is staffed by former Trump administration officials, has agreed to advance the interests of Libyan military commanders, including Haftar and his son Sadddam, deputy commander of his self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF). Haftar and his security forces face allegations of human rights abuses, which are reportedly perpetrated in the detention centres they run. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the leader to investigate these allegations, including torture, summary execution, and the desecration of the corpses of enemy fighters. The rights group reported that “people who disagree with the Hafter clan have been unlawfully killed, arbitrarily detained, tortured, ill-treated and forcibly displaced”. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Haftar has faced multiple US lawsuits filed by Libyan families, including an ongoing case that alleges he “intentionally and deliberately tortured” family members of the plaintiff. In 2022, a US court found Haftar liable for war crimes against several Libyan families who have accused him of extrajudicial killings and torture. Haftar’s legal team denies all allegations - some cases have been dismissed, but at least one is pending. Libya has endured years of violence since a Nato-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime autocrat Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with rival administrations and scores of militias battling for power. Haftar has emerged as the de-facto leader of the country’s east and south, and has attacked the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) which controls the west, including the capital Tripoli. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ‘Highly problematic’ The signing of the lobbying contract comes amid moves by Haftar to solidify his family’s control over eastern Libya. Each of Haftar’s five sons holds powerful positions, with his youngest, Saddam, likely to succeed him. Saddam recently met with several US officials, including Trump's advisor on Arab and African affairs, Massad Boulos, and the US charge d'affaires in Libya, Jeremy Brent, according to a statement by the US embassy on X. HRW assistant director for the Middle East and North Africa, Hanan Salah, warned that engagement with Haftar and other figures implicated in the alleged abuses is “highly problematic”. “Instead of ensuring that these people are held accountable first for any violations that may have been committed, we’re seeing that they’re being brought in and that they’re being sort of presented as … the future political elite of this country,” she said. According to a report by Africa Intelligence last week, Boulos is considering a power-sharing deal between Haftar and GNA Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and bypassing elections. Under the proposed arrangement, Haftar would retain control over security and military forces, while Dbeibah would continue to head the civilian executive. Libya Crisis News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0
A US lobbying firm closely connected to the Trump administration has been handed a $2m contract to represent Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, who faces multiple allegations of human rights abuses.Lobbying disclosure agreements reported by the Washington Post revealed that Ballard Partners, which is staffed by former Trump administration officials, has agreed to advance the interests of Libyan military commanders, including Haftar and his son Sadddam, deputy commander of his self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF).Haftar and his security forces face allegations of human rights abuses, which are reportedly perpetrated in the detention centres they run.Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the leader to investigate these allegations, including torture, summary execution, and the desecration of the corpses of enemy fighters.The rights group reported that “people who disagree with the Hafter clan have been unlawfully killed, arbitrarily detained, tortured, ill-treated and forcibly displaced”.Haftar has faced multiple US lawsuits filed by Libyan families, including an ongoing case that alleges he “intentionally and deliberately tortured” family members of the plaintiff.In 2022, a US court found Haftar liable for war crimes against several Libyan families who have accused him of extrajudicial killings and torture.Haftar’s legal team denies all allegations - some cases have been dismissed, but at least one is pending.Libya has endured years of violence since a Nato-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime autocrat Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with rival administrations and scores of militias battling for power. Haftar has emerged as the de-facto leader of the country’s east and south, and has attacked the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) which controls the west, including the capital Tripoli.The signing of the lobbying contract comes amid moves by Haftar to solidify his family’s control over eastern Libya. Each of Haftar’s five sons holds powerful positions, with his youngest, Saddam, likely to succeed him.Saddam recently met with several US officials, including Trump's advisor on Arab and African affairs, Massad Boulos, and the US charge d'affaires in Libya, Jeremy Brent, according to a statement by the US embassy on X.HRW assistant director for the Middle East and North Africa, Hanan Salah, warned that engagement with Haftar and other figures implicated in the alleged abuses is “highly problematic”.“Instead of ensuring that these people are held accountable first for any violations that may have been committed, we’re seeing that they’re being brought in and that they’re being sort of presented as … the future political elite of this country,” she said.According to a report by Africa Intelligence last week, Boulos is considering a power-sharing deal between Haftar and GNA Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and bypassing elections.Under the proposed arrangement, Haftar would retain control over security and military forces, while Dbeibah would continue to head the civilian executive.
