In a fiery speech during a military parade marking the 10th anniversary of the Dignity Operation, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, Supreme Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) issued defiant vows and called on Libyan patriots to unite behind a democratic vision for the country’s future.
Addressing the crowd in Benghazi, Marshal Haftar declared it a source of “pride and honor” to celebrate the anniversary of the Dignity Battle, in which the LNA gained victory over terrorism and extremism.
“The future opened its doors and Libya breathed peace after terrorism nearly turned its rivers and valleys into bloodstreams,” the military commander said.
He congratulated the Libyan people for persevering and not being deterred by those who “belittled” and “mocked their ability to change.”
Paying tribute to the heroes and “martyrs of the Dignity Operation, Marshal Haftar stated that today and future generations “will not forget your sacrifices.”
The marshal also praised the military’s role in defeating terrorism and bringing security, stability and reconstruction, asking rhetorically “would terrorism have been defeated were it not for our officers, soldiers and supporting forces?”
While proudly declaring “we are military men…on the battlefields”, Haftar also confirmed that the LNA are “civilians to the core” devoted to development, serving citizens and ensuring they “live with dignity.”
In an apparent swipe at rivals, he asked “What have today’s rulers offered Libya except submission?” accusing them of expressing “disbelief in democracy.”
Haftar vowed that despite “all challenges and artificial obstacles, we will forge ahead together as one people and army” towards a “serious national vision” of “civil democracy” and unity.
“The Libyan people will remain stronger than all seditions, fraternizing and reconciling, without interference from any party claiming to reconcile between its people,” he declared defiantly.
The speech capped off the military parade and anniversary commemorating a decade since Haftar’s Dignity campaign aimed at purging extremists from Benghazi and other regions.