The United Nations envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, warned Monday of the continuing support for Khalifa Haftar saying he is not a democratic figure and that most Libyans see him as the new Gaddafi.
Salame told France Inter Radio that Haftar isn't Abraham Lincoln and isn't a great democracy supporter.
"Haftar has some power, he wants to unite Libya which fragmented after 2011. He doesn't want the power to be in the hands of armed groups and that is positive. But how is he going to do that in areas outside his control. Even in areas under his control, he rules with an iron fist." Salame remarked.
He added that he has doubts about the way Haftar wants to rule Libya because "when see his way of ruling, nothing appears but a ruling with an iron fist.
"The UN Security Council is largely split regarding Libya and that was manifested in their failure to pass the UK-drafted resolution for a ceasefire. The temptation of the strongman idea is very widespread but the reality is that the strongman is not that strong, which is also a problem for his supporters." Salame added.
He indicated that no one can ignore Haftar but there shouldn't be adaptation of Haftar's political project as it doesn't suit a very large majority of Libyans.
