TRIPOLI, April 27 (Xinhua) -- After more than two weeks of rumors about his death, Libya's eastern-based army commander, General Khalifa Haftar, returned on Thursday to Benghazi, the country's second largest city, after a successful treatment trip in France.
Upon arrival, Haftar ended the uncertainty and controversy that accompanied his absence over the past two weeks.
"The return of General Khalifa Haftar from his medical trip came at a perfect time to end all doubts and all the media rumors that tried to split the military establishment and show that the army is divided and has no (strong) leadership," Mohammed Abdullah, member of the eastern-based parliament, told Xinhua on Thursday.
"There are countries that want Haftar out in any way and tried repeatedly to take him out of the scene, but he foiled their plans by gaining more popular and military support, as shown in the reception ceremony upon his arrival to Benghazi," Abdullah said.
Haftar arrived at Benghazi's Benina international airport at 19:15 local time (1715 GMT), and was received with a large ceremony by a number of senior army officials and tribal elders.
Haftar's return ended more than two weeks of speculation about his health condition. Army spokesman Ahmed Mismari had denied sending Haftar to Europe for treatment.
Shortly after arrival, Haftar confirmed that he was "in good health," calling the Libyan people to "trust the army."
"I want you to trust this army because it will bring you what you wish," he said, vowing to "eliminate all groups that disturb the life of the Libyans."
On April 11, local and international media said Haftar was sent to France's Paris for treatment after a sudden stroke.
Despite that secrecy of Haftar's medical trip, French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, revealed last week that Haftar "is in a military hospital on the outskirts of Paris" and his "health condition is better."
Libyan military analyst and retired army general, Ahmed al-Hesnawi, said the army was consistent throughout the absence of Haftar.
"Several media and political parties have tried to topple the army's leadership during the four-year war on terrorism. However, their attempts fail to undermine the army's determination and cohesion, which have survived the attempts of rumors. The senior army officials showed mental strength. All their statements were supportive of the army and insisting on fighting terrorism," al-Hesnawi told Xinhua.
"Even when Haftar was absent recently, preparations were continuing for the battle to liberate Darna from terrorism. This indicates that the army's leadership may be affected by the absence of its commander, but the army will not stop its plans to liberate Libya from terrorism and militias," he said.
Since 2015, the eastern city of Darna has been besieged by the army which demanded the armed group of the Shura Council of Mujahideen of Darna to leave the city. The army accuses the group of being loyal to al-Qaida.
Libyan political analyst, Abdullah al-Rayes, said that parties opposing the army in Libya tried to create division between army officials, and they are involved in the recent assassination attempt of the army's chief of staff, Abdarrazzag al-Nathuri, and the recent clashes between an army unit and security forces in Benghazi when Haftar was abroad.
"There is information that political parties, specifically the political Islam movement, are behind the assassination attempt of al-Nathuri last week, which is intended to divide the army officials and show that the army is solely dependent on Haftar," Al-Rayes told Xinhua.
He pointed out that the rumors aimed to undermine Haftar's credibility, especially before the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya.
"This campaign against Haftar gained him additional popularity, instead of weakening him. It may even make him a strong candidate for the presidency of the country," Al-Rayes added.
