The move, part of Khalifa Haftar’s “Vision 2030,” consolidates his family’s power while sparking reactions in Tripoli and renewed debate over Libya’s future stability.
Soldecanarias.net / Benghazi
General Khalifa Haftar has appointed his youngest son, Saddam, as his deputy, in a move seen as both a consolidation of power and a calculated step toward shaping Libya’s military and political future. The announcement was made on August 9, during a speech marking the 85th anniversary of the Libyan Army, founded by Idris As-Sanousi in exile in Egypt in the 1940s.
The appointment, widely viewed as a pivotal moment in Libya’s fragmented landscape, is a key component of Haftar’s “Vision 2030” a plan to modernize the Libyan National Army (LNA), restructure its ranks, and expand its technological and operational capabilities.
To achieve these goals, Haftar has hinted at a forthcoming internal shake-up that could remove senior officers from the old guard and pave the way for Saddam to build his own base of loyal commanders.
Tripoli’s Pushback and Haftar Allies’ Endorsements
The announcement was met with swift rejection in Tripoli, where Abdullah Al-Lafi, a member of the Presidential Council, called for an emergency meeting to discuss the issue.
Under the 2015 Libyan Political Agreement and the 2021 Geneva Roadmap, the Presidential Council is recognized as the collective supreme commander of Libya’s armed forces. Since Tripoli does not acknowledge Haftar’s LNA as an official state institution, Al-Lafi labeled the decree “invalid” and emphasized that such appointments are the exclusive prerogative of the Council.
Despite these legal objections, the move appears to have been solidified politically. Pro-Haftar outlets such as Al-Hadath TV described an “outpouring of congratulations” for Saddam Haftar, reflecting widespread support among Haftar’s regional allies.
Messages of endorsement came from Russia’s Defense Minister, the Egyptian Chief of Staff, and several retired generals from Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab countries. The leadership of the House of Representatives, including Speaker Aguila Saleh and the appointed Prime Minister Osama Hammad, also welcomed the decision. The United Arab Emirates, a longtime supporter of Haftar, has so far remained silent.
Timing and International Implications
The timing of the appointment is particularly significant. Saddam Haftar’s promotion came shortly after a three-day visit by Musaad Boulos, the U.S. President’s Senior Advisor for Africa, who met with both Haftars during his stay. Although it remains unclear whether the appointment was discussed during the July 24 meeting, Washington’s lack of official reaction has been interpreted by analysts as a form of tacit approval.
Observers note that while the legality of the decree remains disputed, the political symbolism is unmistakable: Haftar is positioning his son as heir apparent and possibly as a unifying figure capable of bridging Libya’s divided military structures in the years ahead.
