The private jet of Khalifa Haftar, the head of the Libyan National Army and a presidential candidate, landed in Israel and remained there for two hours before heading to Cyprus. The apparent visit took place on Thursday, but was first reported by Israeli media on Saturday. It is not known who was on the plane nor who that person or persons met with in Israel. Haftar, whose army fought a civil war against the internationally recognized government from 2014 to 2020, announced in November that he would run for president of Libya in its December 2021 elections, that eventually were postponed.
Report of the plane’s landing in Israel comes days after reports in Saudi Arabian and Libyan media that Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, prime minister of the Government of National Accord, met Mossad Director David Barnea in Amman, Jordan at an unspecified time. Dbeibah’s office has denied that such a meeting took place.
Haftar’s son, Sadaam, landed in Israel on a private jet in November for 90 minutes, Haaretz reported at the time. He reportedly spoke toi Israeli officials about his father promising to recognize Israel after the presidential election.