The health of Commander of the Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar is “excellent”, stressed a source close to him in wake of rumors over his condition.
The source accused to Asharq Al-Awsat the Muslim Brotherhood of spreading false information about Haftar, saying that it claimed that his health had deteriorated.
Haftar is receiving treatment at a hospital in Paris.
The source added that his morale is also excellent and he had undergone routine medical checks.
He will return to Libya soon, he stressed.
United Nations special envoy to Libya Ghassan Salameh contacted on Friday night Haftar to discuss the latest political developments in Libya.
The al-Naba television channel, which is affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood, reported the news, but it did not include any reference to Haftar’s health.
Meanwhile, Walid Fares, the former foreign affairs advisor to US President Donald Trump, denied claims that Haftar’s health was preventing him from carrying out his duties.
He said in a statement obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat that he had contacted Haftar’s family, which confirmed that he was in France where he was undergoing routine tests.
He refuted all media claims that his health was deteriorating.
“We are aware that there are some sides in the Arab world that consider Haftar a threat to their interests. These are extremist groups,” he said.
Furthermore, Fares stressed that western officials are completely aware of the medical tests that he is undergoing. They know that Haftar will return to Libya to resume his duties, which are important to the international community, especially in regards to combating terrorism.
Official spokesman for the Libyan National Army Ahmed al-Mesmari said on Twitter that Haftar, 75, will return to Libya “within days” to resume his war against terror.
He rejected all rumors about his health, saying that he was in excellent condition.
One of Haftar’s relatives confirmed that he will return home by the end of the week.
Sources close to the strongman told Asharq Al-Awsat that he suffered from a severe flu during his recent surprise trip to Jordan, but he continued ahead with his agenda, which included meetings with US State Department and western officials.
His condition worsened when he returned to Libya, forcing him to cancel several items on his crammed agenda. He still suffered from the flu when he paid a visit to Egypt last week, the third surprise visit since the beginning of the year.
After holding talks with the Egyptian presidency, Haftar was transported by a medical helicopter to a Paris hospital.
The sources denied that he underwent any form of surgery, reiterating that he underwent routine tests.
The Libyan commander had arrived in Cairo some ten days ago where he met with several senior political and military officials.
