Libyan National Army Commander Khalifa Haftar arrived on Thursday from Cairo at Benina International Airport, east of Benghazi, amid popular and official celebrations after receiving treatment for three weeks in Paris.
Earlier in the day, delegations of prominent figures, elders and sheikhs of the Eastern Province as well as members of the House of Representatives and civil society organizations came to Benghazi to participate in the reception ceremony of Haftar, who had received treatment in France amid "rumors" that he had died.
Popular celebrations began from Wednesday night and took place in the eastern Libyan cities. Crowds were arriving in the squares and hoisting banners and posters of the Marshal, who held talks in Cairo with Egyptian officials before traveling to his country.
During his visit to Egypt, Haftar discussed the relations between Egypt and Libya and the latest developments in his country.
On April 14, a "rumor" was spread about the death of Haftar in a hospital in Paris, causing confusion in Libyan and Arab circles.
The citizens of eastern Libya highly appreciate Haftar, but he has been considered an obstacle to the "Islamists", especially in the west of the country, since his return from exile in the United States following the outbreak of the revolution of February 17, 2011.
Member of the House of Representatives Dr. Mohammed Amer al-Abbani told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the return of the commander-in-chief in good health, proves that he is a man of strategies and does not get carried away by rumors.”
“Congratulations to Libya!”
On the other hand, a major battle to liberate Derna from extremist groups awaits Haftar, LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mesmari said.
The Libyan army has launched three air raids on terrorist groups in the city, said Mesmari, pointing out that extremists there will be brought to trial once arrested.
“The terrorist organizations use booby-trapped vehicles that do not differentiate between allies and enemies, and Derna will be liberated very soon," he said.
The spokesman also confirmed that talks conducted by Haftar in Cairo dealt with Derna’s liberation, stressing that Egypt and Libya are jointly fighting terrorism.