The House of Representatives in eastern Libya has approved a controversial amendment that allows Saddam Haftar, the son of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, to succeed him as head of the Libyan National Army (LNA).
The vote, held behind closed doors with a limited number of MPs, formalizes the consolidation of the Haftar family’s power at the top of the military apparatus.
At 83 years old and reportedly in declining health, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar has been working to solidify his family’s control over eastern Libya for several months. In the preceding week, he promoted his son Saddam to the role of deputy commander of the LNA, while his long-time ally, General Abderrazak Nadhouri, was demoted to National Security Advisor. Another son, General Khaled Haftar, was given command of the general staff, a move that rebalanced internal rivalries within the family.
According to several members of parliament, Saddam Haftar has been granted “full powers” to succeed his father. However, many observers see this parliamentary vote as a mere formality imposed by the field marshal.
This development has drawn comparisons to Muammar Gaddafi’s failed attempt to install his own son, Saif al-Islam, in power. By establishing a direct family succession, Khalifa Haftar has taken a significant step toward the personalization and inheritance of military power. This move coincides with the suspension of municipal elections in areas under his control, further tightening his grip on the eastern part of the country.
This latest development risks escalating tensions in Libya, a country that has been divided between two rival authorities since the fall of Gaddafi in 2011 and has struggled to find a stable institutional solution.
MK/Sf/ac/fss/abj/APA