US officials reported today that they believe al-Qaeda has sent fighters to Libya in an effort to recruit a meaningful fighting for in the nation after the fall of Moammar Gadhafi. During the Gadhafi regime the group had almost no influence in the nation.
Officials also say that al-Qaeda has been encouraging its regional auxiliary, the al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) to “drum up extremist activities” in the region as part of its push for a foothold of its own.
Attempts to install a presence of their own in Libya could be difficult, as there are already significant Islamist factions in the nation to compete with, and which are largely Libya-centric as opposed to having ambitions of global reach.
Indeed during the Gadhafi regime there was considerable support for Islamist militant factions, but the local factions (including the one run by military commander Abdulhakim Belhaj) appeared to keep al-Qaeda from ever establishing any presence of its own.
Al Queda supporters were in Libya before the regime change and formed part of the so-called 'rebels'
The "US Officials" are just practicing their misdirection skills as usual. If you've been keeping up, you know where the base is right now and who cuts their paychecks.
Whatever y'all wanna hear. As soon as the "loving" Lefties got involved in this, I separated myself from the entire argument. There's no point in torturing oneself even if it's for the plight of the oppressed. Some things should be kept in one's heart and not made public lest one wishes to be tarred, feathered and burned at the stake.
"Indeed during the Gadhafi regime there was considerable support for Islamist militant factions, but the local factions (including the one run by military commander Abdulhakim Belhaj appeared to keep al-Qaeda from ever establishing any presence of its own."
Correct me if I am wrong, but weren't Mr. Belhaj the intermediary between the Muslim Brothers of Libya and the Al Quaeda proper? Also, wasn't the gentleman in question a terrorist who participated in the 2004 bombing of the train in Spain when 191 passengers were killed?!
The US is covering his crimes since he suddenly proclaimed himself the Freedom Fighter, but his hands are covered with blood.
Here is a good read on him: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdelhakim_Belhadj