| Libyan Fighting Group (Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah bi-Libya) | |
|---|---|
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| Leader | Abdelhakim Belhadj |
| Dates of operation | 1995–2017 |
| Motives | Overthrow Muammar Gaddafi and establish an Islamic state.[1] |
| Active regions |  Libya |
| Ideology | Salafi jihadism |
| Status |  Delisted as Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US State Department[2] Designated as Proscribed Group by the UK Home Office[3] Sanctioned by the UN 1267 Committee.[4] |
| Means of revenue | Mohammed Benhammedi[citation needed] Sanabal Charitable Committee |
The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), also known as Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah bi-Libya (Arabic: الجماعة الإسلامية المقاتلة بليبيا), was an armed Islamist group. Militants participated in the 2011 Libyan Civil War as the Libyan Islamic Movement (al-Harakat al-Islamiya al-Libiya), and are involved in the Libyan Civil War as members of the Libya Shield Force. Alleged militants include alleged Al Qaeda organizer Abd al-Muhsin Al-Libi who now holds a key command position in the Libya Shield Force.
In the 2011 civil war, members claim to have played a key role in deposing Muammar Gaddafi. The force was part of the National Transitional Council.
However the organisation has a troubled history being under pressure from Muammar Gaddafi and shortly after the September 11 attacks, LIFG was banned worldwide (as an affiliate of al-Qaeda) by the UN 1267 Committee.[4][5] Listed at the Foreign Terrorist Organizations,[6] the group has denied ever being affiliated with al-Qaeda, stating that it refused to join the global Islamic front Osama bin Laden declared against the west in 1998.[7]
- ^ "Islamic militant group pledges support to anti-Gadafi rebels". Irish Times. 29 March 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
We want to help take our country from the revolutionary stage to the stage of rebuilding the nation, says al-Madhouni. "At that point we will hand over our weapons, when the LNC demands it." ... The Libyan National Council says its vision is of a democratic Libya... "As long as this democracy is not against Islam, we will accept it. What we are looking for is a state that respects Islam as the religion of the people. Anything that goes against Islam, we will refuse it."
- ^ "Foreign Terrorist Organizations". United States Department of State. Archived from the original on 27 January 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
- ^ "Proscribed terrorist groups". Home Office. Archived from the original on 4 October 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2012. – Terrorism Act 2000
- ^ a b "QE.L.11.01. Libyan Islamic Fighting Group". United Nations Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee. 23 August 2010. Archived from the original on 14 August 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- ^ "UN list of affiliates of al-Qaeda and the Taliban". Un.org. Archived from the original on 28 July 2006. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
- ^ "Foreign Terrorist Organizations – Multimedia Counterterrorism Calendar". Nctc.gov. Archived from the original on 15 August 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
- ^ "Islamic militant group pledges support to anti-Gadafi rebels". Irish Times. 29 March 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
Both reject claims the LIFG has been affiliated with al-Qaeda, noting that the group refused to join the global Islamic front Osama bin Laden declared against the west in 1998.