In an interview on al Arabiya TV al Hadath Program, Dr Walid Phares said "there is an anti-Jihadist movement against the Islamists in Libya in general and the al Qaeda linked groups which includes military, workers, liberals, women, students, ethnic minorities, and in general, a majority of civil society."

Dr Walid Phares on Libya on al Arabiya

In an interview on al Arabiya TV al Hadath Program, Dr Walid Phares said "there is an anti-Jihadist movement against the Islamists in Libya in general and the al Qaeda linked groups which includes military, workers, liberals, women, students, ethnic minorities, and in general, a majority of civil society. General Haftar, who is leading the movement at this point is not going to establish a military regime. He is fighting the armed Jihadists and will open the path for a new election." Phares said "the US Administration made a mistake in 2011 when it sided with the Islamists in Libya and realizes now with the Benghazi debate and investigation, that the right side in Libya and in the Arab world are the like minded democrats, not the totalitarian Islamists." He added that "the anti-Jihadist movement in Libya will be met fiercely by the Islamist militias including the Ansar al Sharia and their allies. It is going to be long and tough, but from what we heard moderate and democracy seeking Libyans wants the Jihadists out and a normal life."

Commenting on Dr Phares analysis, Libya's ambassador to the United Nations said "the US Administration realized that it went too far with the Muslim Brotherhood. The latter are violent, anti-democratic and are rejected by ordinary people in the region. Unfortunately Qatar's regime has played a dangerous role by backing the Islamists in the Arab Spring and in Libya. Now the Libyan people is rising against the Islamists and Washington needs to understand the message."

Ambassador Mohammed Hawni

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