Reports: UK coordinated with Libyan Islamic Fighting Group during 17 February revolution

BY Libyan Express Apr 05, 2018 - 21:25

Head of Al-Watan Political Party, Abdulhakim Belhaj, who was a former member of the LIFG [Photo: Internet]

The United Kingdom government has said for the first time that members of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, whom the UK accuses of being behind the Manchester bombing – were likely among those Britain supported in Libya to topple Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

This major news came in a written answer to a parliamentary question the British government.

The answer has admitted that the British-sponsored “militias” in Libya in 2011 ‘likely’ included members of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).

The question was tabled by Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle, who asked whether the government was in communication with members of LIFG during the effort to bring down Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, said British media.

Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Alistair Burt responded on April 3, writing, “During the Libyan conflict in 2011 the British Government was in communication with a wide range of Libyans involved in the conflict against the Qaddafi regime forces. It is likely that this included former members of Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.”

LIFG was founded in 1995 by Libyans who had fought against Soviet forces in Afghanistan. It aimed to establish an Islamic state in Libya and viewed the then-Gaddafi regime as oppressive, and anti-Muslim, according to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

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